
Class^ TS^r0 7 
Book- • 



/^ 



HEAR THEN THE VERDICT 
AND OTHER POEMS 



BY 

LoRiN Ludlow ^^ 



" Every artist dips his brush In his owii soul and paints his own nature 
into his pictures." — Beecber. 



> > » } ' ■) 









Press of 
THE MORNING STAR PUBLISHING HOUSE 



K^3 



oorr B 



Copyright 

1903 

By James Louis Daymude 



& c « c « 



•"• •'• 



••• •.• 



CONTENTS 



A Birthday Soliloquy . 












48 


A Charming Young Maiden . 












ia6 


A Dove Lesson 












34 


A Father's Letter 












104 


A Friend in Need 












t4t 


A Good Investment 












4« 


A Heart of Gold 












4§ 


Ail about Strikes 












31 


All Day Voices in the City 












44 


A Noble Calling . . 












149 


A Plucky School Girl 












107 


A Perfect Guide 












84 


A Popular Tragedy 












27 


A Rainy Day Love Letter 












86 


A Reliable Cosmetic 












152 


A Student's Farewell . 












155 


A Spring Rehearsal 












56 


A Sacred Spot . . . . 












85 


Attic or Basement 












82 


A Very Civil War 












Z09 


A Vain Search 












47 


A Wedding Present 












154 


A Weary Housewife 












133 


Beautiful Flowers 












67 


Beauty to Beauty 












157 


Beauty Loyal to Duty 












95 


Believe in God and Trust His Son 












"5 


Brotherhood of St. Andrew . 












151 


Burdens May Become Wings 












144 


Christian Soldiers 












. 83 


Christian Endeavor 












. 118 



IV 



Contents 



Come unto Me . 

Discipline of Duty 

Eloped with Spring 

Finding a Friend 

Flirting on the Stairs 

Genius Superior to Infirmity 

Georgie's Model Man 

Greatest of Three 

Happiness in Small Quarters 

Harry and Emily United 

Hear then the Verdict 

Hermie 

Humanity's Flag 

Ich Dien 

" I Knew It " . 

Imperiled Friendship 

Just Nineteen 

Madame La Grippe 

Mercy's Birthday 

Mother Goes to Her Child 

My Ideal Beauty 

My Lost Pearl 

My Spirit Valentine 

My Wall Flowers 

My Woodbine Lodge Jewels 

O Beauty . 

Ode to Friendship 

" Old Kenyon " 

Our Billy 

Platonic Love 

Pluto 

Postman at the Door . 

Reunited . 



8i 
io6 

69 
139 
137 
123 
124 

55 
150 

91 

9 

51 

122 

25 
77 

65 
100 

73 

68 

105 

140 

59 

146 

37 

129 

158 

76 

71 

130 

60 

53 

153 

142 



Contents 



Rum Conquered by Love ....... 135 


Safe in Port 












159 


Saturday Night . 












114 


Service and Trust 












72 


Sitting at His Feet 












92 


Soul to Sense 












93 


Sunday Morning 












114 


Tete-a-Tete with My Soul 












88 


The Cost of a Treat 












40 


The Champion Cloud Maker 










112 


The Dauntless Crew of the Merrimac 










148 


The Demon of Drink 










28 


The Eclipse Eclipsed 










103 


Their Tin Wedding 










132 


The Letter that Came too Late 










61 


The Lord's Prayer 










80 


The Love of My Dreams 










101 


The Morn We Met 










35 


The Rum Seller Jubilant 










116 


The Sparrow Trial 










127 


To Her Who Will Know 










. 63 


To Loved Ones " Over There "' 










III 


To Maiden Reading " The Builders " 










55 


To the Snow Sprite 










90 


True Greatness 










46 


True Self-Control 










121 


Twilight Voices In the Country 










42 


Valleys Imply Mountains 










120 


Victorious Name 










79 


What Gracie and God Did for Me 










74 


When Maidens Homeward Fly 










. 38 


Who Entitled to Great Respect 










33 


Y. P. C. T. U. Rally Song 


. 










54 



HEAR THEN THE VERDICT 

" I regard this poem as a very powerful and effective moral appeal, and 
as one particularly well calculated to awaken spiritual resolution. It has 
insight, force, and inspiration, and leaves a vivid lesson in memory." — 
Hes^ekiah Buttertuorth. 










" Attracts this motley rabble's stare " 




%m thm tu MM 



'My strength is as the strength of ten, 

Because my heart is pure." 

— Tennyson. 



HAT mean these crowds which, day by day, 
Obstruct the sidewalk's narrow way ? 
What creature in the window there 

Attracts this motley rabble's stare ? 

Some strange, uncanny, dreadful sight, 

Which timid folk would scare outright? 

Some savage beast, perchance, enraged 

Because by man entrapped and caged ? 

Or read they there some rare new fact, 
Which thoughtful people should attract ? 
Some novel, well-considered plan 
For helping upward struggling man? 
Some late invention or device 
For living well at lower price ? 
Some treatise on the sin of drink, 
Of kind to make men stop and think ? 
Or pictured story, told so well 
That Satan, on his way to Hell, 
Would pause, and pray to be forgiven, 
That he might seek its type in Heaven ? 



JO Hear then the Verdict 

Ah ! that, indeed, were sorry guess, 
That men like these who hither press 
Are drawn by motive pure and good : 
Their looks betray a baser mood. 

And now, no longer to disguise 
This cynosure of gloating eyes, 
The " creature " in the window there 
Is not a sight should make men stare ; 
Is not " uncanny," in the least. 
Nor, like the men, " a horrid beast." 
'Tis something men of self-respect 
Will never harm, but shield, protect. 

A timid maiden, young and fair, 
Some mother's darling, sitting there, 
Is toiling for her clothes and bread : 
Perhaps that loved ones may be fed. 
That what she does is great remove 
From what your tastes or mine approve, 
Good reason is why she should find 
Much sympathy and treatment kind : 
Be helped to some employment where 
She'd meet with less to fear and bear. 
God speed the day no mother's pets 
Must live by filling cigarettes ! 

But, Muse, not now her work decry, 
But how compelled that work to ply : 



and Other Poems 



It 







*' It toiling for her clothes and bread ' 



12 Hear then the Verdict 

That, maiden, modest, young, and fair, 
She's placed on exhibition where, 
Exposed to brazen, lustful eyes. 
She may the shopman advertise ! 
That she was chosen for the place 
Because, of comely form and face. 
Her beauty would attract the eye 
Of each male idler passing by! 
That fiendish greed, its maw to sate. 
This woman's ALL would immolate ! 

And who, pray tell, will bear the blame 
If this young maiden come to shame? 
If broken heart and vain regrets 
Should brand her make of cigarettes? 
If part and parcel of their cost 
Should be a girl betrayed and lost, 
Because compelled to face a fire 
More dread than sacrificial pyre? 

She's modest now, and blushes when 
She meets the vulgar gaze of men ; 
But, target made of blear-eyed age, 
As though a danseuse on the stage ; 
Besieged by youthful male coquettes 
Who, charmed with girl-made cigarettes, 
Their pet mustachios deftly twirl, 
And ogle much, meanwhile, the girl ; 
What wonder if, when older grown, 



and Other Poems 



n 




The shopman ? ' No, he's rich I 



t4 Hear then the Verdict 

The seed this kind of life had sown 
Should germinate, and fruitage bear 
Of love, desertion, and despair ? 
Would not a less disastrous fate 
Presume a self-control too great? 

Once more, then : who will bear the blame ? 
Will some one speak the culprit's name? 

" The shopman ? " No, he's rich ! And then — 

He does but pattern other men : 

A hundred others one could name 

Who blameless are and do the same. 

One sees, whichever way he goes, 

If not such crowds and window shows, 

Enough, at least, in sundry ways, 

To prove that woman's charms, these days, 

Are often used to advertise 

And push the sale of merchandise. 

And used by merchants of repute, 

Whose *' standing " none may dare dispute. 

And so the shopman will be free 
From blame — except hy you and ms. 

" The gaping crowd? " Why, these, you know, 
Act just as they have chanced to grow. 
A part of them, no doubt, had birth 
Among the creeping things of earth ; 
And, if possessed of souls at all, 



and Other Poems 



i^ 




'Among the creeping things of earth" 



1 6 Hear then the Verdict 

They are, as yet, exceeding small — 

So small, so dormant, they aspire 

To naught above self's base desire. 

Another part, 'tis true, have known 

The higher walks of life, as shown 

By dress and somewhat else that tells 

That they are of or ape the " swells." 

These are not yet in sin so old 

They would not blush if they were told 

The thoughts they were indulging then 

Were thoughts unworthy gentlemen. 

The most of them — they know it well — 

Have mothers they'd not dare to tell 

The motive, as they passed along, 

That made them join this gazing throng. 

And some have sisters, pure and sweet. 

Who surely could not think it meet 

Their darling brothers should be seen 

Their pride of birth to so demean. 

And sweethearts, some, whose hearts would bleed 

To think them base in thought or deed. 

" Canst find, O Muse, excuse for these. 
As for the more submerged degrees? " 

Await the sequel. Hear me through, 
Then you will have the answer true. 

These youths infer, with show of right. 
That, in their social status fight. 



and Other Poems 



17 




"As 'ladies' men' * 



i8 Hear then the Verdict 

They may not lose, may even win, 
By deftly-played Intrigues with sin. 
They see that "fast " men whom they know 
Appear to have a better show 
To win their way with womankind 
Than men possessed of heart and mind ; 
, That " beaux," who pass through all the town 
As " ladies' men," win their renown 
With feeling, thought, and motive base, 
Engarbed in guise of artful grace ; 
That he whose " conquests " multiply, 
Instead of losing caste thereby. 
Is feted, flattered, lionized, 
As woman's patron saint disguised. 

What wonder, then, if thoughtless youth, 
Which values pleasure more than truth. 
Should make its law a social code 
Which builds for vice so smooth a road? 
Which welcomes to its pleasure-boats 
The sower wild of wildest oats? 

And so the crowd, I fear, will be 

Unblamed — except hyyou and me. 

"The maiden?" Ah! none needs to tell 
The story all men know so well ! 
The wrong, the shame — she'll bear it all ! 
Alone, without the social wall 



and Other Poems 



'9 




"Alone, without the social wall' 



20 Hear then the Verdict 

By Christians built the pure to screen, 

She'll writhe and chant, " Unclean ! Unclean ! " 

" By Christians built ? " Ah, yes, they say 
The Master's plan won't work, to-day: 
The sinning men to soundly score, 
And say to her, *' Go I sin no more." 
" And why not, pray? Now, Muse, reveal 
What in thy thought thou dost conceal : 
Speak forth thy mind— the culprit name 
At door of whom should rest chief blame." 

HEAR THEN THE VERDICT : Guilty they 

Who have it in their power to say 

Who shall and shall not welcomed be 

To what is called " society," 

And who permit a social code 

Which says it shall ht^la mode 

For rakish men to have entree 

Where their poor victims may not stay. 

Whomever else the world may name, 

These the Christ will surely blame." 

O mothers, sisters, sweethearts, all. 
This brings to you the righteous call 
To wear yourselves the stainless white. 
And then demand, as just and right, 
That men, to enter your domain, 
Must emblem wear as free from stain ; 



and Other Focma 



21 




•* These the Christ will surely blame ' 



22 Hear then the Verdict 

That suitor who would win a wife, 

To be the partner of his life, 

Must show the maid he would secure 

That he, no less than she, is pure ; 

That no man — be he rich or poor — 

Shall enter socially your door, 

And touch your hand with gracious smile. 

Who patronizes places vile ; 

That women, too, whose social code 

Bids welcome men to their abode 

Whose social record, known to fame, 

Should mantle woman's cheek with shame, 

Shall be, by women, under ban 

No less severely than the man. 

When woman thus asserts her sway, 
How loathsome Vice will skulk away ! 
Then LOVE, the pure, sweet type, will come, 
And HEAVEN be synonym of HOME. 



OTHER POEMS 



' But words are things, and a small drop of ink. 
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces 
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." 

— Byron. 



ifcb M'tn 

" Few can serve, yet all may please." — Hannah More. 

©F lineage royal, of courtly mien, 
Insignia wearing befit his birth, 
A prince, in serious mood or mirth, 
Thus studied the motto he wore, ^^ Icb Dten^^i 

" Descend^t in line of the world's great queen, 
And having glimpses of future years 
Begemmed with honors and flecked with fears, 

I, Prince of Wales, should ken what means ' Ich Dien ' ; 

" For heir to an empire, no less, I ween, 
Than humblest peasant that owns his sway. 
And toils for sustenance, day by day, 

Must bow to Nature's law and say, ' Ich Dien.^ 

" As now I look out on this ocean scene, 
Observe the flow of the rising tide. 
And watch the ships o'er the billows glide. 

New thoughts arise of the legend ' Ich Dien.'' 

" That vessel far out in the distance seen, 
Assigned her place in commercial strife, 
And bearing freightage of human life, 

Might fly on her pennant the words, ' Ich Dien.'' 



26 Hear then the Verdict 

" That high-rolling tide, with its silver sheen, 
Ebbing and flowing at God's command, 
Ceaselessly serving both sea and land, 

Is rightfully roaring its boast, ' Ich Dien.^ 

" This humming-bird flitting the nearer scene. 
Dipping its beak into honeyed flower. 
Sipping the sweets of the passing hour, — 

The Hebe of bloom, — is singing * Ich Dien.^ " 

Thus thoughtfully musing, this Prince serene 
Perceived the secret of Nature's plan ; 
Perceived dull matter and beast and man 

All living the motto he wore, " Ich Dien.^^ 

That nothing exists, whether grand or mean, 
Endowed with soul-life to think and feel, 
Or naught of sentience it doth reveal. 

Whose warrant of being is not " Ich 'Bien?'* 



and Other Poems 



27 



a fopislar Crageds 



ACT I. 

Little boy, 

Cigarette, 
Puff or two, 

Sick, you bet ! 

ACT II. 

Tries again. 

Not so sick, 
Tickled now. 



Learned the trick." -2;^^ 




^S 



ACT III. 
Boy grows thin, 

Awful pale : 
Doctor, quick ! " 

Mother's wail. 



ACT IV. 
Doctor comes. 

Shakes his head, 
Undertaker : 

Tommy dead ! 



Sequel 
All surprised 

Providence(?) 
Such nice lad 

Should take hence ! 



28 Hear then the Verdict 

Sbe Demon of Srisib 

" Drunkenness is identical with ruin." — Diogenes. 

T STROLLED through the slums of the town, to-day, 
Y Where poverty, squalor, and crime hold sway, 

Intent upon learning what fiend was there 
To cause such conditions of fell despair. 

" For surely," I reasoned, " such vileness rife, 
Such widely-spread wreckage of human life, 
Such horrible fruitage of woe, hath grown 
From seed by some demon incarnate sown ! " 

Nor was I mistaken ; for everywhere. 
By sights and by sounds in the reeking air, 
Were proofs of the presence of that dread foe 
Which drugs men to madness, drapes homes in woe. 

His agents were busy : Hell's liquid fire 
Had many a seller and many a buyer. 
And many a workman his hard-earned gain 
There bartered for drink and a muddled brain. 

There stood by Rum's altar young men who still 
Retained, they asserted, command of will 
To toy with the tempter, yet hold the power 
To spurn his enchantments within the hour. 

But by them stood others as youthful quite. 
Who knew that the taint of the serpent's bite 
Had entered and poisoned their blood and brain, 
And branded them slaves in the demon's train. 



and Other Poems 2g 



Young husbands were there, whose young wives, at home 
Were waiting, while dreading, their homeward roam ; 
But greeted them kindly, and feigned surprise 
At their reeling gait and their rum-bleared eyes. 

And fathers sat long at their mixtures vile, 
Whose children were crying for bread, meanwhile ; 
Then homeward meandered with empty purse, 
A stench in their nostrils, on tongues a curse. 

O brothers ! O statesmen ! could pen disclose 
The heights and the depths of this worst of woes, 
The story would rouse you, from son to sire, 
To hurl this fiend back to his native fire ! 

Abolish the traffic in human lives ; 
Restore rescued husbands to loving wives ; 
Rebuild the wrecked homes, and uncage the joys 
That thrilled in the voices of girls and boys ! 

O Christian people, do you still delay 
Because this vile demon comes not your way ? 
Is that valid reason why you decline 
To hazard the hate of the god of wine ? 

'Tis reason like his who his brother slew : 
As valid was Cain's as is yours for you. 
You are ** brother's keeper," and must him keep 
By making of rumsellers one clean sweep ! 



^o 



Hear then the Verdict 



Say, dip 1 my pen into ink too strong? 
Alas ! there is need, when this fearful wrong 
Is fostered by city and state and realm, 
Its votaries stand at the social helm. 

The newspapers silent, the pulpit mum, 

All bowing their necks to the despot rum ! 

'Tis time, O ye people, full time, I think. 

The Pen should strike boldly the Demon of Drink ! 




" The pen should strike boldly the Demon of Drink" 



and Other Poems ^i 



M about S\xM% 

" Strike for your altars and your fires." — Halleck. 

IF, fighting your way with the " bulls " and " bears," 
You climb to wealth on the Stock Exchange stairs, 
You're sure to be toadied as much as you like : 
You've scooped in a fortune, you've made a big " strike." 
Strike, strike, you've made a big strike : 
What all " sharks " are after and all "sharks " like. 

If, pugilist, you, in the prize-fight ring, 

Hit straight from the shoulder with blows that sting. 

Be you college athlete, or just plain Mike, 

You'll "pocket the biscuit," you've made a "swell" 
strike. 
Strike, strike, you've made a " swell " strike : 
What all " sports " are after and all " sports " like. 

If, laborer, you are informed some day. 
The Union has ordered, " Quit work right away ! " 
You know you will suffer, but down goes your spike, 
And, true to your comrades, you go on a strike. 
Strike, strike, go out on a strike : 
What some men are after but few men like. 



32 



Hear then the Verdict 




♦• A strike that is coming ' 



Far better than any and all of these, 
We know of a " strike " that should all men please 
A strike that is coming when all men alike 
As brother with brother their hands shall strike. 
Strike, strike, with brother shall strike : 
What all men should work for and all men like. 



and Other Poems ^^ 




" A thousand pounds a year for pure respect." — Shakespeare. 

HO is entitled to great respect? 
He placed at the lielm of the Ship of State, 
To direct its course and conserve its fate, 
As servant of nation that made him great ? 

IF BEFORE GOD HE CAN STAND ERECT. 

Who is entitled to great respect? 
The army official, whose fame resounds 
In clarion notes to remotest bounds, 
Proclaiming great deeds on great battle-grounds ? 

NOT IF HIS MANHOOD SHOW GREAT DEFECT. 

Who is entitled to great respect ? 
The man who has garnered great wealth in store, 
And daily is garnering more and more, 
Till gold in great tidal waves floods his door? 

NOT IF "SWEET CHARITY" HE NEGLECT. 

Who is entitled to great respect ? 
The woman whose beauty of form and face, 
" ElUeness^' of wardrobe and faultless grace. 
Procure her m^r^^ to high social place? 

YES, IF HER LIFE BEAUTY'S CHARMS REFLECT. 



34 Hear then the Verdict 

Who is entitled to great respect? 
The young man admitted to homes elite, 
Received by young women, bright, pure, and sweet, 
And honored by parents with friendly greet ? 

NOT IF HIS HABITS BE INCORRECT. 

Who is entitled to great respect ? 
The man or the woman, the girl or boy, 
Whom wisdom and virture enthrill with joy, 
Whom all forms of evil distress, annoy : 

THOUGH POOR, UNFAMED, IS OF GOD'S ELECT. 




"A bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wing:s 
shall tell the matter." — Bible. 

'OME out, little boys, little girls, to the doves, 
And see how each one of them cleanliness loves. 
You'll have to come early, for doves don't delay 
Befitting themselves to be seen through the day. 
We'll see how they bathe in the glad, limpid rill, 
Then comb from their plumage all kinks, with the bill ; 
And so they're not seen with soiled feathers and feet, 
Their persons besmeared with the soil of the street : 
Won't that be a lesson for you and for me, 
And prompt us to try to be clean as doves be? 



and Other Poems 



35 



dbe Mortt He Met* 

" Would you know how first he met her? " — Tennyson. 

T AM thinking, Dear, of the morn we met ; 
J And just as I saw you I see you yet : 

A lovely young maiden in school-girl guise, 
Reviewing her studies with wistful eyes : 

Beautiful eyes, that seemed to say 
" We know and trust you from this first day." 




Reviewing her studies with wistful eyes •' 



*By permission of Jean White, music publisher. 



^6 Hear then the Verdict 

And I wondered, Love, — for I seemed to see 
A future was waiting for you and me, — 
If ever you'd love me, and I'd love you, 
With love that is tender and pure and true : 
Beautiful love, that ne'er grows cold, 
As hairs grow gray and the years grow old. 

I am answered. Sweet, for I love you so, 
Already the sequel I seem to know : 
That surely the future's unrolling scroll 
Will show me enthroned in your own sweet soul 
Beautiful soul, divinely fair, 
Divine the bliss in its love to share. 

But if something. Dear, should reveal it best 
That not in this life I may be so blest, 
I'm sure that my love, in the life to be, 
Will find you and draw you in love to me : 
Beautiful life that lasts for aye, 
And rights the errors of this brief day. 



and Other Poems ^7 



il55) Mall flowers 

I AM musing alone in my attic, 
As the curtain of day slowly falls, 
And am leisurely reading the faces 
That are peering at me from the walls. 

One is gazing with eyes full of pity, 

As condoling my lonely estate ; 
While another, wide-eyed, looks the question : 

'* Why this sadness ? Why not more elate ? " 

Here are faces of friends who have known me, 
Long have known me on hill and in dell : 

Each of these, in its way, seems determined 
I shall know it remembers me well. 

And my darlings, my nearest and dearest. 
With sweet smiles in their beautiful eyes, 

Seem conveying to me Heaven's message : 
" Earthly sorrows are joys in disguise." 

Now another sweet face looms before me, 

As of one of the dearest of these: 
One that fits in the niche of a longing 

Which none other could so well appease. 

'Tis a face so transcendent in beauty, 
So expressive of heart and of soul. 

That I see in its each charming feature 
A through pass to a glorious goal. 



^8 Hear then the Verdict 

O I would that my ideal picture 
Might assume its true place on my wall, 

And so blend with its other belongings, 
That its sweetness would flavor them all ! 

But alas ! I must cancel this wishing : 
Earth's ideals are seldom attained ! 

When passed on from this life to the higher, 
Will our losses in this be regained? 



When burning rays of August days 

Have spent their wilting force ; 
And autumn's frown hath settled down 

On field and woodland gorse ; 
Then maidens, brown, return to town, 

" Engaged," each one, no doubt, 
But, ere the snow begins to blow, 

Their summer lovers flout. 



and Other Poems 



39 




" And am leisurely reading the faces 



40 Hear then the Verdict 

Jibe Cost of a Creat 

" Troops of Furies inarch in the drunkard's triumph." — Goethe. 

TEP up, my lads, the lot of you, 
And drink at my expense : 
The man that don't accept my treat 
Will give me great offense. 
A day like this don't come but once. 

And we must have a ' spree,' 
And every lad must drain his cup. 
And leave the score to me." 

REFRAIN 

O could he have known, that father, that day, 
The terrible price he would have to pay, 
He'd sooner have ordered a winding sheet. 
Than paid the expense of that fateful treat ! 

Young men " stepped up " who, till that day, 

Had never tipped the cup ; 
But then and there the habit formed, 

And never gave it up. 
Among them, brightest of them all. 

Just come of age that day. 
Was first-born, only son of him 

Who pledged the " score " to pay. 



and Other Poems 



di 




" Step up, my lads, the lot of you " 

That son began the downward road 

So easy made by rum, 
And ere his beard was fully grown 

A drunkard had become. 
That father's silvered, drooping head 

Proclaims the bitter woe 
That wrings his soul, the victim of 

That "treat " three years ago. 



a (Bood Unvcsttncnt 

IT WAS only a dime, but, invested well, 

It doubled itself, over and over ; 
For it won me the thanks of a charming belle, 

And a genuine FOUR-LEAFED CLOVER ! 



42 Hear then the Verdict 




"God made the country." — Cowper. 

HILE I sit here, thinking, thinking, 
In the twiliglit, lone and sad, 
Something whispers, " Hear the music 
All about you, and be glad." 
So, alone, I sit and study- 
Twilight sounds that strike my ear : 
Try to separate, distinguish, 
And interpret what I hear. 

Very many, strange, and varied 

Are these voices of the night. 
As they come from out the gloaming, 

Sound, unaided by the sight. 

In the distance rolls and rumbles 

Slowly homeward-moving wain ; 
Near at hand a creaking cricket 

Cries her plaint, as if in pain. 

Swift as bolt by Jove projected. 

Downward through the startled air 
Pounces predatory night-hawk, 

Seeking hapless victims there. 

" Tick-tack, tick-tack," on the mantel 

Sing the seconds as they pass ; 
"Tick-tick, tick-tick," sing, responsive, 

Tiny insects in the grass. 



and Other Poems 



43 



'Neath the eaves a startled sparrow 
Twitters to her mate, in fear ; 

And her drowsy spouse, impatient, 
Peeps response, "Be quiet, dear! " 

Far away a bell is ringing. 
Tolling, tolling, for the dead : 

Ah ! I wonder if the mourners' 
Hearts are bleeding, as mine bled ! 

Now a hush comes o'er my senses ; 

Stillness broods on all around; 
Clock and cricket cease their clatter ; 

Peace-and-rest-at-last-are-found, 

Hark ! a voice I Her voice is singing ! 

Can — O can it truly be? 
Too far, alas ! too far away ! 

I sleep — I dream she sings for me ! 




" In the distance rolls and rumbles 



44 



Hear then the Verdict 



%\\ Sa$ IDoiccs in tbe Ci 

" Man made the city." — Cowper. 

I SAT me down some lines to write, 
But soon was in a mood to fight ; 
For I had just begun my song, 
When two street criers came along. 
Ugh ! I wished the fiends to throttle : 
" Ole-raigs ! Ole-raigs ! Eny-raigs-bottle ? " 

1 tried again, got through a line, 
And caught a glimpse of something fine, 
But only glimpse, for I was then 
Made crosser than a brooding hen ! 




and Other Poems 45 



This time it was that awful sell : 

" Mac Rell ! Mac Rell ! Nice, fresh Mac Rell ! " 

I waited till " Mac Rell " got by, 

Then, feeling vexed enough to cry, 

Picked up again my pen and wit. 

And started in to make a hit, 

When this refrain fell on my ear : 

" Be-nay-nays ! Rye-be-nay-nays, hare ! " 

I thought to give it up ; but then- 
Ought tongue be let to squelch the pen? 
No, no ! I tried the thing once more ; 
Alas ! no better than before : 
The oily tongue that filched my hope 
Came on the scene with " Sope ! Sope ! Sope ! " 

At last I gave up all control, 

With bitter feelings in my soul : 

Ought any city sell the right 

To howl the streets from morn till night? 

Ought citizens be robbed their peace . 

By traders in old rags and grease? 

Ought venders be allowed to yell 
Through decent streets like imps of hell ? 
Disturb the sick, dispel all thought. 
Because some wares are sold and bought? 
Are cities truly civilized 
With savagery so undisguised ? 



46 Hear then the Verdict 

Methinks there is some better way 
Our people will demand, some day ; 
A way that better sense will suit, 
For trade in rags and fish and fruit. 
" Pray give us now! " do hosts implore, 
" Relief from this tremendous bore ! " 



' Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister." 

—Jesus. 

Divine the wisdom which reserves 
True greatness for the soul that serves ; 
Declares it product of the heart 
Whence purely selfish aims depart. 

Divine the edict which decides 
That worth its own reward provides ; 
That man, it must be understood, 
" Is only great as he is good." 



and Other Poems 47 




a tDain Search 

"Why seek ye the living among the dead? " 

— Angels at the tomb ofjeszis. 

HY seek amid tombstones what never was there? 
The souls of your loved ones ve did not entomb : 
They soared through the air to a land that is fair, 
And live there as sweetly as flowers a-bloom. 

Oh, think not, though passed from material sight, 
Your darlings are held in the clutches of death ! 

They, happy and bright, roam a world of delight ; 
For souls do not perish at stoppage of breath. 

" The laid- away caskets ? " Oh, yes, they are dear : 
The jewels encased made them precious to you. 

They, too, never fear, shall again re-appear, 
As spirit forms like to the old forms ye knew. 

O Tabor's sweet vision ! O Calvary's tree ! 

How golden the lesson from both we derive ! 
Revealing that we our departed shall see 

As dead in the flesh, but in spirit ALIVE. 

Then seek not the living 'mid things that are dead ; 

The Kingdom of Heaven more wisely explore. 
With Heavenly bread feed your heart and your head. 

And so be allied to what lives evermore. 



48 Hear then th^ Verdict 

a Birtbd85 Solflops 

" God gave thy soul brave wings." — Herbert. 

IT is only a year, but 1 seem to-day 
Full many a league upon league away, 
In thought, in feeling, in hope, I ween. 
From the day I registered " s^veet sixteen." 

Though only a bit of a girl, as then : 
Though only a birdling of seven and ten, 
I feel somehow that my wings have grown, 
That somehow a larger world I own ! 

What means it, 1 wonder, this broader sphere. 
That opes as I enter my seventeenth year ? 
How shall I interpret this growth of soul : 
Its meaning, its mission, its trend and goal ? 

O would that some seer might unfold — No ! no ! 
O not for the world would I have it so ! 
My future unveiled, whether good or ill, 
Would defeat God's plan and my own free will. 

the joy of it all— this unending life 

Of achievement, as guerdon of earnest strife ! 

1 long to be in it, with might and main. 
Whatever the goal, but it SHALL BE GAIN ! 

Full well do I know whose the fault will be, 
If the beauty and talent vouchsafed to me 
Be not wisely invested in paying stock, 
And my house be not built upon SOLID ROCK. 




"I feel somehow that my wings have grow^n " 



and Other Poems 49 



a %izx\ of MA 

" Honest labor bears a lovely face." — IDekker. 

WITH merry heart and murmured song, 
Without a care or thought of wrong, 
A happy maiden tripped, one day, 
Along an unfrequented way. 
A pair of dudes, bent on a " lark," 
Accosted her with rude remark. 
A stranger heard her cry of fright, 
And rescued her, like royal knight. 
The maiden turned to thank the man 
Who bravely to her rescue ran. 
And saw, surprised, a working lad, 
Of manly form, though poorly clad ; 
But in his hand, work-soiled and red, 
She placed her own and sweetly said : 

" Though, as your dress doth plainly show, 
You are a working lad, I know 
That 'neath your vesture, worn and old, 
There throbs a heart that can't be sold. 
That you are manly, brave, and true, 
And I shall always think of you 
As one beneath whose clothing old 
There throbs a heart of sterling gold." 



^o Hear then the Verdict 

Through balmy days of autumn-tide, 

This youth and maiden, side by side, 

Together strolled o'er hill and dell, 

And each to each their love did tell. 

But " Oh ! 'tis wrong ! " the brave lad cried, 

" To make my love a poor man's bride ! 

It must not be ! Good-bye, my sweet, 

'Tis best we ne'er again should meet ! " 

But as he turned to leave the maid, 

Her father spoke from out the glade : 

" Come back, my lad ! You need not part ! 

My wealth of gold 'gainst yours of heart." 

And in his hand, work-soiled and red, 

He placed his daughter's hand and said : 

" Though as your dress doth plainly show. 
You are a working lad, I know 
That 'neath your vesture, worn and old. 
There throbs a heart that can't be sold. 
That you are manly, brave, and true, 
And I shall always think of you 
As one beneath whose clothing old 
There throbs a heart of sterling gold." 



and Other Poems 5' 



" But to see her was to love her." — 'Burns. 

CAN you tell me what's the matter, 
Tell me what the symptom means, 
When one's timid in the presence 
Of a girl just in her " teens " ? 

She is winsome, she is pretty, 

She has fascinating ways ; 
And my heart begins to flutter 

Ev'ry time I meet her gaze. 

Now for years I'd been admitted 
To her home a welcome guest. 

But I never thought she drew me 
More than either of the rest. 

And, in truth, it seemed the mother 

Who attracted me to call. 
Being sprightly, and a widow. 

And so very kind, withal. 

Then her jolly elder sister. 
Full of mirth-provoking glee, 

Always gave me kindly greeting, 
Very pleasant was to me. 



52 Hear then the Verdict 

So my calls became so frequent, 
And so cordial were the three, 

No place else in all the city 
Quite so homelike was for me. 

Was I not the favored monarch 
Of the hearts I there surveyed ? 

Could I not have issued orders, 
Have them instantly obeyed ? 

Well, I thought so, till one evening. 
As the cottage I approached, 

I discovered other " monarchs " 
On my kingdom had encroached. 

Lo ! a troop of college students 
Filled the place with song and glee ; 

And my " subjects " clearly made them 
Quite as much " at home " as me ! 

Then there came a strange awaking 
To a new and startling sense ; 

Something I must frankly tell you. 
Though somewhat at my expense. 

When I saw those students happy. 

Saw the ladies happy, too. 
All my " royal " plumage wilted ; 

Strange new feelings pierced me through. 



and Other Poems 5^ 



Then my heart for me discovered 
Which strand of that triple cord 

Drew me, held me, to the cottage : 
Why those students I abhorred. 

They might swarm about the widow, 
Or the sister join in song. 

But if Hermie smiled upon them, 
I was sure 'twas very wrong I 

From that night my wonted valor 

Just evaporated, quite ; 
I am ill at ease and timid ; 

Something surely is not right. 

So do tell me what's the matter ; 

Tell me what the symptom means. 
When a fellow is so " rattled " 

By a maiden in her "teens." 



I'VE many a friend that I love full well ; 

I've several beaux, and all that ; 
But nothing so causes my heart to swell 

As Pluto, my little black cat. 



§4 Hear then the Verdict 



V. t' C. 2. SJ. tail? S 

Tune. — "Marching through Georgia." 

i^\S comrades we've enlisted in the service of the Lord, 
f-^ To fight the hosts of evil in accordance with His 

J word, 

And we must don our armor and go forth with one accord ; 
While we are soldiers of Jesus. 

REFRAIN 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! we will be true and brave ; 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! ourselves and others save : 

Save from INEBRIETY, so mighty to enslave, 

While we are soldiers of Jesus. 

Intrenched within our country is King Alcohol, our foe ; 
His campfires flaunt their glowing lights whichever way 

we go, 
And we the lights of church and home must no less 

brightly show. 

While we are soldiers of Jesus. 

The foe is here recruiting for the potentate of hell, 
Equipped with ammunition far more dread than shot and 

shell, 
But then our great Commander is all powerful to quell, 
While we are soldiers of Jesus. 



and Other Poems §^ 



To Him we look for wisdom in conducting our campaign ; 
He knows Jiow much tliere is to do, how much to lose or 

gain; 
So we may hope to win the day when Rum will cease to 

reign, 

While we are soldiers of Jesus. 



Co MMm lieaclfiig ''CTbe ®iif Wets'' 

" Character is higher than intellect."— Ewersow. 

Yes, dear maiden, building surely, 

Day by day, life's structure grand ; 
Building wisely, building purely, 

Firm and fair your house will stand. 
Then, some day, the veil will sever, 

When, beyond earth's sky of blue, 
You will find " a joy forever" 

That sweet home you built so true. 



Greatest of Cbree 

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three, but the greatest of 
these is charity." — St. Taiil. 

Faith, my trust in things unknown ; 

Hope, my trust in things to be ; 
Love, my selfishness outgrown : 

Noblest, greatest of the three. 



5(5 Hear then the Verdict 




% Sprii 

Suppose the singing birds musicians." — Shakespeare. 

HEN out walking, what seemed talking 
In the hedge-row by the way, 
Heard but faintly, sounded quaintly, 
Lured my passing steps to stay. 

While "eaves-dropping," birds were hopping 

In and out the hawthorne hedge. 
And the mention " Bird Convention " 

Made my act seem sacrilege. 

But I listened ; plumage glistened. 

Swarms of delegates began 
Wings to flutter, chirps to utter 

Sage opinions — just like man. 

Now the matter of the chatter 

Was a March Rehearsal planned 
Of the singing for inbringing 

Of the springtide, near at hand. 

" I doubt whether, with such weather. 
We may not this meet postpone ! " 

Screeched the regal chairman, Eagle, 
As he picked a lambkin's bone. 



and Other Poems 



57 




I ■were craven, croaked the Raven " 



'M were craven," croaked the Raven, 
" If I did not speak my mind. 

If our chairman were a fair man 
He would songsters treat more kind. 

" He sits eating, when the meeting 
The Rehearsal would begin ! 

We need training for sustaining 
Music fit the ' Bringing In.' " 

This speech ended, laughter blended 
With the chairman's stern reply ; 

For each winger knew, as singer. 
Raven's standing was not high. 



§8 Hear then the Verdict 

Then much stirring and great whirring 
Quivered through the feathered throng ; 

For came true word that Prince Bluebird 
Now would sing the opening song. 

Next up-bobbin', Redbreast Robin 
Cleared his throat with conscious pride ; 

Bosom glowing, as if knowing 
He could win his way earth-wide. 

Then up-springing, primed for singing. 
Came the " Goldfinch Concert Band." 

Robed in yellow, voices mellow. 
They are always in demand. 

Time would fail me to detail the 
Names of vocalists renowned ; 

Nor can mention serve intention 
To describe how all were gowned. 

After list'ning to the whistling 
Of the Wood-thrush Soloist, 

I must leave you, though it grieve you, 
Songsters dear, whom I have missed. 

But, in quitting, it seems fitting 

I should say what I opine : 
That this season there's good reason 

Bird-world singing should be fine ! 



and Other Poems ^() 



/in^ lost f earl 

" The leaves of friendship fa!!.'' — Holmes. 

I'VE lost a pearl, I know not how, 
I know not where, I know not when ; 
I only know 'twas mine, and now — 
'Tis gone, as though it had not been. 

I wore my pearl upon my heart. 
And thought to keep it there for aye ; 

But cruel Fate oft rends apart 
What should together always stay. 

Could I but know when it was lost, 
Just whither gone and why it went, 

Such knowledge might reduce the cost ; 
Might serve to soothe my discontent. 

Or had I prized my pearl less high ; 

Could I but say, " I do not care! " 
Then pride would scorn complaint, and try 

Some other pearl to win and wear. 

Sweet Hope predicts a day will come — 
Beyond this life that day may be — 

When my lost pearl will find its home, 
And there abide eternally. 

And would you know the pearl I mean ? 

A maiden's friendship, crystal pure ; 
The sweetest I had known or seen ; 

The kind that should for aye endure. 



6o Hear then the Verdict 



I^latonfc love 



"A friendship that, Iil<e love, is warm : 
A love like friendship, steady." 

— Moore. 

¥OU ask : " Can a first love, if genuine, true, 
Be followed by other loves, many or few? 
If later loves thrill as the old one had thrilled ? 
If cup of the old by the new can be filled ? " 

Well, dear, let me speak for a lover who loved 
So deeply, so truly, his whole soul was moved ; 
And knows that, for him, that initial love flame 
The better prepared him for love worth the name. 

O think not of love as that fatuous fire 
That cremates itself on its own self-built pyre ; 
But love that first values its object as friend. 
And grows into Hymen's sweet rite in the end. 

" Platonic love ! " say you ? Ah ! well, 'tis the kind 
That weds the whole being — the heart, soul, and mind : 
Without it, the pair oft discover, too late. 
They wedded emotion, but neither a mate. 

So doubt not, dear friend, that your first love may prove 
Precursor and guide to a more perfect love : 
A love less exacting, but truer to life — 
A stronger cohesive for husband and wife. 



and Other Poems 



6i 



Gbe Setter tbat Came too Sate 

" Home is the chief school of human virtues." — Cbanning. 

KNOW how it pained you, that fateful night, 
To see me brought home in that dreadful plight. 
And pained you to drive me from childhood's door, 
And warned me to see your dear face no more. 



i 




" I know how it pained you " 

But, sad and disheartened, I sought in rum 

To drown all remembrance of childhood's home.' 



62 Hear then the Verdict 

REFRAIN 

O see that poor father ! 

How bitter the fate 
Which brings him that letter 

That came just too late ! 
"Far better," he reasoned, 

" 1 never had learned 
My Ralph had repented, 

For home had so yearned ! " 

Far better had father 

More love shown that night ; 
With son dealt more kindly, 

While in that sad plight. 
Oh ! why do not parents 

Use Love's potent sway. 
In teaching their children 

Life's more perfect way ? 

" But now, O my father, resentment past. 
Your vagabond son is himself, at last, 
But sick in the hospital. Oh, please come 
And take me again to your heart and home ! 
I'll never recover, the doctors say, 
While pining for loved ones so far away. 

"With mother to nurse me, and sister's love. 
My sickness will vanish, death far remove. 
And Roy will be free, as in days of yore, 
To enter with honor the old home door. 
O father, forgive me and take me home, 
If only to die in my dear old room ! " 



and Other Poems 63 



So Iber Mbo Mill Iknow* 

" One tongue is sufficient for a woman." — Milton. 

WERE you a maid of Athens, 
And 1 a Grecian bard, 
To tell you how I love you, 
The strength of my regard, 
I'd sing the same old story, 

The one you so well know, 
But in Hellenic measure, 
" Z(U7y eras dyaTTO),** 

Were you a Roman lady. 

And I a Roman knight, 
To voice my glowing passion 

In form and words aright, 
I'd doff my knightly helmet, 

From charger bend me low. 
And whisper, " Ego amo 

Et te desidero! " 

If neither Greek nor Roman, 

But German maiden born. 
To tell the old sweet story 

No woman hears with scorn, 
I'd borrow tongue of Schiller, 

That tongue so full of soul, 
And sing you, *' Liebes Madchen, 

Ich liebe dich sehr voll ! " 



* By permission of Jean White, music publisher. 



64 



Hear then the Verdict 



Nor Grecian, Roman, German, 

But maid of sunny France, 
I'd brave old ocean's billows, 

To win from you one glance ; 
And did your eyes beam kindly. 

And fondly welcome me, 
I'd shout aloud — not whisper : 

"Moncoeur! Monange! Ma vie!" 

But neither Greek nor Roman, 

Nor French nor German maid. 
Why dead or foreign language ? 

Why things I would have said? 
My song shall end more timely, 

More patriotic, too : 
In present tense and English, 

" I love you — only you ! " 




I love you — only you ' ' 



and Other Poems 6s 



' Silence is an answer to a wise man."— Tltitarcb. 

VHY your silence, O my friend? 
Hath our friendship found its end? 
Tell me of the matter. 
Please no longer make me wait, 
Write and tell me of your state, 
Ere our friendship shatter. 

Lonely thoughts are mine to-day, 
Snow-bound people keep away. 

And there comes no letter. 
If, before the day is o'er. 
Come the postman to my door, 

He may shape things better. 

Now the snowflakes, thick and fast, 
Scurry my lone window past, 

Little thinking, caring, 
Whether postman come or not. 
Whether you have quite forgot. 

Or my wish art sharing. 

Ah, my friend, could you but know 
How I oft a- weary grow 
Of my life so blighted ; 



Hear then the Verdict 



How I miss my loved ones gone, 
Leaving me bereft, alone, 
Loveless and affrighted ; 

You would better understand 
Why I need the mystic wand 

Wielded by your letters ! 
For they lift me out of self. 
Lay my cares upon the shelf, 

Break away my fetters. 

Should this bit of idle rhyme 
Win from you response, sometime, 

I shall be delighted. 
Should no echo reach my ear, 
Then I'll know — though hard to bear- 

Friendship's bud hath blighted ! 



and Other Poems 



67 




" Flowers are words that even a babe may understand." 

— 'Bishop Coxe. 

©THE flowers ! Beautiful flowers ! 
How they brighten this world of ours ! 
Cheering its cheer, light-lining its gloom, 
Decking the font, the altar, the tomb. 

O the flowers ! Sweet-scented flowers ! 
Making our homes like Eden's bowers ! 
Weaving sweet thoughts, as on mystic loom. 
In hearts entranced by their rich perfume. 



6S Hear then the Verdict 

O the flowers ! Sensitive flowers ! 

Gently employing our leisure hours ! 

How they respond with a fond delight 

To care of love ! How they shrink from slight ! 

O the flowers ! Beautiful flowers ! 
Ever adorning this world of ours ! 
The heart that loves the beautiful warms 
Praising their delicate tints and forms. 

O ye flowers ! Ye friendly flowers ! 
When fortune favors or darkly lowers, 
In health and sickness, be ye my friends, 
Till bloom of Heaven my pathway ends. 



Thirteen years ago to-day 
A rocket, soaring Heaven's way, 
Attracted by its brilliant glare 
A baby angel's longing stare. 
When rocket turned to earthward fly, 
The angel babe began to cry. 
And so was given leave to go 
Along with it to Earth below. 
And this explains how Fourth July 
Is birthday of Miss Mercy Frye. 



and Other Poems 6g 



lElopd with Spring 



" Next came the loveliest pair in all the ring: 
Sweet female Beauty hand in hand with Spring." 

— Burns. 

'TTH ! Miss Gertrude, I have traced you 
jrl To your hiding-place at last, 
J Where, eloped with Spring, he placed you, 

Bidding Nature hold you fast. 

All about you birds are singing ; 

Lambkins frisk the verdant mead ; 
Zephyrs to your senses bringing 

Sounds your ears take in with greed. 

Now the purling of a brooklet ; 

Now sweet echoes from the wold ; 
Music from the vocal nooklet 

Where winged minstrels concert hold. 

Where glad leafy trees are waving 

Welcome to our runaway ; 
Aye, all Nature just behaving 

Charmingly, to stretch her stay ! 

Ah ! thou cruel Spring, to take her 

From my sight without my leave ! 
I suppose you mean to make her 

Yours, no matter who may grieve ! 



lo 



Hear then the Verdict 




" Ah ! thou cruel Spring, to take h;r " 



Well, I 'spose I'll have to bear it : 
Girls are struck on Spring, we know. 

In their pleasure, e'en to share it, 
Hoary Winter hath no show. 



and Othtr Poems 7/ 



44 /9\tA 4L.AM44AM ff 



'' Honos alit artes, et virtus laudata crescit.'' — CiCERO. 

*^ma T^ater Reni^on QoWe^en 

Civing spring of classic knowledge. 
TVlany children dearly love thee: 
?Cll whose Lares bade them prove thee. 

TVlany thy achieved successes. 
?t,bly baffled all thy stresses. 
This eighth decade of thy being 
Gvidences, all are seeing, 
Righteous aim and growth agreeing. 

Renyon, thy dear name grows dearer, 
G'en as Earth-life's end draws nearer, 
name suggesting scenic beauty : 
"youth enthused with self-sought duty. 
01d Kokosing's rythmic flowing 
' Heath proud trees with verdure glowing. 

Gampus flecked with aufait Seniors, 
Outing Freshmen, Sophs and Juniors. 
Corin Andrews, Lang or Trimble 
Dooming on the scene as symbol, 
Gach, of zealous consecration. 
God be praised that estimation 
Gkes with Peirce administration. 



']2 Hear then the Verdict 



Service and Crust 

They also serve who only stand and wait." — Milton. 

©MAY I do my Father's will 
This passing day, 
And every wish of His fulfill, 
In His own way ! 
O may I trust my Father's care 

This coming night, 
Nor feel less safe than in the glare 
Of midday light ! 

O may I know that while I sleep, 

All care forgot. 
There watcheth One, my soul to keep, 

Who slumbers not ! 
And since He knows what's best for me, 

By day and night, 
O may His will, whate'er it be. 

Be my delight ! 



and Other Poems y^ 




iffiadaie la Q>t\m 

\{ desk and my paper, my pen and my ink 
Are ready for business, but where is my 
"think"? 

Whenever a blossoming thought I would nip, 
My head begins humming the lay of La Grippe. 

I've earnestly sought how I best might evade 
The loathsome embraces of that wicked jade ; 
Am told many ways how to give her the slip, 
But none have yet saved mie from Madame La Grippe. 

One told me to stick out my tongue, which I did, 
When on it a spoonful of sulphur was slid : 
Believing, I think, that the Madame would skip, 
So much 'twould remind her of home, poor La Grippe ! 

But how can one write ? It is no use to try, 

A buzz in his head and a flood in his eye ! 

And here's a big sneeze getting ready to ri — 

Oh ! put in a word there to rhyme with LA GRIPPE ! ! 



14 



Hear then the Verdict 




u 



(Bracie m& 6od Sid for Me 

" To stay at home is best." — Longfellow. 

FATHER, don't leave me alone, to-night : 
Dear mother, you know, is so ill ! 
If she should get worse I would die of fright : 
Stay, father, O say that you will ! 

Stay, O my father, do stay ! 
Stay with your Gracie — donH 
go.' 
And we'll watch and we'll pray 
Till the dawning of day. 
And then she'll get better, I 
know." 

So pleaded the child of my fond- 
est love, 
With tears stealing down her 
sweet face ; 
And, helped by our Father who 
W hears above, 

I yielded to God and my 

• stay, O my father ' • Grace. 

" Pray, O my Gracie," I sighed, 
" Pray for your mother and me " ; 

And we watched side by side, 

And to Heaven we cried, 
To make my wife well and me free. 




and Other Poems y^ 



The morrow's sun rose with a golden glow ; 

The birds were all singing with glee ; 
I wonder if Nature was glad to know 
What Gracie and God did for me ? 
Sing, all ye people, oh, sing ! 
Sing with my Gracie and me : 
For we feel we must sing, 
Till the welkin shall ring : 
Wife lives and from drink I am free ! 

No more shall my wife nor my Gracie know 

Neglect, nor of terror the pain ; 
No more my example and earnings go 
To swell the rich rumseller's gain. 
Sing, all good people, oh, sing ! 
Sing with my darlings and me ; 
For we feel we must sing, 
Till the welkin shall ring : 
We're free ! From the rum demon free ! 



7(5 Hear then the Verdict 



®de to ifrfendsbip 

" Give me that man 
That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him 
In my heart's core." — Shakespeare. 

©LOVE, that art not Love but friendship named ! 
Thy nature ? Bard hath never sung it true. 
Thy beauty ? Brush hath never limned its hue. 
Shall novice, then, brave theme by sages maimed ? 



To Love hymeneal thou art suret^^ bond, 

O Friendship ! They wed ill who wed not thee. 

Love's permanence hath else no guaranty 
The summer-tide of its brief dream beyond. 

But thou dost other mission well fulfill : 
Thou raisest Love to even higher plane 

Than that which leads to wedlock, good or ill. 
Sweet souls there are who worship at thy fane 

In loving, helpful trust, nor cross His will 
Who wills not hearts shall yearn for hearts in vain. 




'And when she came to maidenhood 
Of type a prince might woo it" 



and Other Poems 77 



**t ilin«w irt" 

" Love gives itself, but is not bought"— Longfellow. 

T T might be nice to love a girl, 
j^ And never let her know it ; 

But that's a trick I have not learned : 

To lave and not to show it. 
I tried it once, as best I could, 

But found I failed to do it ; 
For when at last I told the girl, 

She laughed and said, " I knew it! " 

Of course she did ! They always do, 
When love is tender, pure, and true : 

In glowing cheek. 

In gleaming eye, 

In manner meek. 

In heaving sigh. 
They read the " old, old story " well. 
And welcome or resent its spell. 

A sweet young girl I long have known. 

And dearly loved her ever ; 
For, as a child, she seemed to me 

So beautiful and clever. 
And when she came to maidenhood. 

Of type a prince might woo it, 
And I declared in words my love. 

She sighed : " Alas ! I knew it ! " 



^8 Hear then the Verdict - 

Of course she did ! They always do, 
When love is tender, pure, and true : 

In glowing cheek, 

In gleaming eye. 

In manner meek, 

In heaving sigh, 
They read the " old, old story " well. 
And welcome or resent its spell. 

It puzzled me— that word " alas ! " 

Accompanied by sighing ; 
She read the question in my look. 

And chuckled, thus replying : 
" That word and sigh were only feigned. 

And meant to make you rue it. 
That you so tried to hide your love. 

While all the time I knew it." 

Of course she did ! They always do, 
When love is tender, pure, and true : 

In glowing cheek, 

In gleaming eye, 

In manner meek. 

In heaving sigh, 
They read the " old, old story " well. 
And welcome or resent its spell. 



and Other Poems 79 



" Who hath not owned with rapture-smitten frame 
The power of grace, the magic of a name." 

— Campbell. 

" Christian Endeavor "—victorious name ! 
How on swift wings it hath mounted to fame ! 
Rising and soaring and flashing along, 
Incarnate spirit of triumph and song ! 
Singing the theme herald angels began, 
Telling the love of the Father for man : 
Infinite love, ever striving to bring 
All men to majesty, crown each a king ! 
Need we a song more seraphic to sing ? 

Earth hath no guerdon more worthy life's aim. 
Noble achievements have honored the name. 
Deathless the fame of its conquests o'er sin. 
Endless the jewels through Christ it will win. 
" All things are yours," saith the Gospel of Grace, 
Valiantly claim them and conquer the race. 
Onward to victory, God-loving youth : 
Right for your watchword and Christ for your Truth ! 



8o 



Hear then the Verdict 



" Prayer is the soul's sincere desire.'' — Montgomery. 

|Y need is great, for self I 
pray, 
But first I Thee adore and 
say: 
*' Our Father who doth dwell 

in Heaven, 
All glory to Thy name be 
given." 

1 would not pray with selfish 
greed, 
^ ^^^ ^^^^^^3; And so for all mankind I 

plead : 

" Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, 
On Earth, as where transgressed by none." 

My body, soul, and spirit, all 
For daily food on Thee must call : 
" O Thou by whom all beasts are fed, 
Give me this day my daily bread." 

And, since I do transgress Thy law, 
Nor can, unhelped, from sin withdraw, 
" Forgive my debts to Thee o'erdue. 
As I to Mercy's claims am true." 




and Other Poems 8i 



And, O my Father, Jesus long 
The tempter foiled ; I am not strong : 
" Lead me not in temptation's way : 
Deliver me from harm, I pray." 

This prayer, approved by Thy dear Son, 
O Father, hear ! For ye are one ; 
'* For Thine is now and aye hath been 
The kingdom, power, and praise. Amen." 



" Come unto me, a!l ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give 
you rest."— Jesus. 

Do LIFE'S burdens press you sorely? 

Is your heart with care oppressed ? 
Go tell Jesus all about it, 

While you lean upon His breast. 

Are you sick or sad or lonely? 

Mourn you loved ones gone to rest ? 
Jesus knows and feels your sorrows : 

Knows just how to help you best. 

Are you longing for the summons 

To a life among the blest ? 
Soon will call the voice of Jesus : 

" Come, and I will give you rest." 



82 Hear then the Verdict 



MM or ffiasetnettt 

He that climbs the tall tree has won right to the fruit." — Scott. 

'T^TOW people can be so contented 
r~^ To live in the stories below, 
J When nothing but choice them prevented 

From climbing, I'm puzzled to know. 

The air is much clearer and purer. 

The light more effulgent, by far, 
The outlook is broader and surer, 

The nearer one neighbors a star. 

E'en clouds cast a less gloomy shadow ; 

Show rifts all unseen near the ground ; 
Suggestive of daisy-flecked meadow, 

Where brightness will full soon abound. 

" As for me," yawns a lower-floor lodger, 
" Stair-climbing is not to my taste ; 

Though I'm not at all a work dodger, 
For climbing I've no strength to waste." 

Ah ! how that pernicious conception 

Oft plunders the soul of its right ! 
Denies it its own predilection. 

And dooms it to ignoble blight ! 



and Other Poems 8^ 



Compels it to live in the basement ! 

Forbids it to climb toward the sky ! 
Which means aspiration's erasement : 

Just creeping awhile and then — die ! 

Pray read you not into this rhyming 

Alone its material thought ; 
But chiefly real heart and soul climbing, 

Which greatness to great lives hath brought. 




" I have fought a good fight." — St. Paul. 

Y the Saviour called, commissioned, 
Armed, equipped, and well provisioned. 
Comrades, shall we fear disaster. 
Marching under such a Master? 

Be our way o'er rugged mountain. 
Desert waste that knows no fountain, 
In dark valley fraught with danger. 
Through domain of hostile stranger : 
March erect ! Whate'er betide us, 
There is One doth march beside us. 
Who before the way hath traveled, 
All its tangled maze unravelled. 

He hath clambered mountains rougher ; 
Hunger, thirst, been known to suffer ; 
Threaded perils from the manger : 
Comrades, FORWARD ! Conquer danger ! 



84 



Hear then the Verdict 



" I am the way, the truth, and the life."— Jesus. 

I AM the Way : 
The thoughts I think, the life I live, 
The deeds I do, the precepts give : 
These mirror forth the Father's plan 
For guiding, saving, erring man : 

I am the way. 




" My message is the Father's own " 

I am the Truth : 
No errors I proclaim to you ; 
I know the false, I know the true ; 



and Other Poems 85 



My message is the Father's own ; 
From Him the seed that I have sown 
I am the Truth. 

I am the Life : 
This life were little worth had I 
Not rived the barriers of the sky ; 
Unveiled Heaven to mortal sight ; 
Brought immortality to light : 

I am the Life. 



B Sacred Spot 

A QUIET nook in Nature's heart 
Where lie the loved remains apart 
Of two sweet maidens, early risen 
From loving, anguished hearts to Heaven. 




86 Hear then the Verdict 



21 IRaitty ]Dd$ 2ove Setter 

" I hear the singing of the rain." — Burleigh. 

ELOVED, to-day it is raining, 
And shiadows are flitting my room, 
Depleting tlie joys here obtaining, 
And flecking its spirit with gloom. 
At such times my thought goes a-searching 

For places and persons I love, 
And now it is tenderly perching 
On home- tree where you " live and move." 

This fact may convey little pleasure 

To maiden for whom it is meant ; 
Though love oft requites in some measure 

A heart, though with lover unblent. 
'Tis something to know one doth love you ; 

Your beauty of person admires ; 
In character thinks none above you ; 

Your happiness greatly desires. 

But pray do not let it disturb you 

To know that you live in my heart ; 
Nor ever the least let it curb you. 

When smitten by self-approved dart. 
For I must assist, not impede you, 

In all that concerns your sweet life ; 
Rejoice e'en, if fortune concede you 

A husband befit such a wife. 



and Other Poems 87 



Must I, then, suppress all ovation ? 

Refrain from all mention of love? 
Keep veiled from you all intimation 

Of prizing you others above ? 
Why should I ? The knowing can't harm you, 

For, though it is perfectly true. 
And though it may not the least charm you, 

'Tis something that neither should rue. 

For love hath a meaning and mission 

Beyond that the world calls its place ; 
A broader, a grander commission : 

Ennobling, refining the race. 
Besides, love survives earth's restrictions ; 

Lives on through eternity's reach ; 
Eliminates hindering frictions : 

United souls knowing no breach. 

So, dear, while this world we are roaming, 

The jewels we find by the way 
Will bide with us after death's gloaming, 

To brighten our unending day. 
So, too, though far future and distant, 

True love that seemed meaningless here, 
Will there prove itself still existent : 

Its reason for being make clear. 



88 



Hear then the Verdict 



detesjaflsteU with /IB5 Soul 

" Hear my soul s^i&ak."— Shakespeare. 

y-^-^ MY soul, where is there 
yl)) rescue 

From this sorrow, this un- 
rest? 
"In reunion with your 
darlings, 
Where they live among the 
blest." 

Tell me, soul, O tell me truly. 
Do they love me as before 
They went forth and left me 
weeping 
«' o teu me truly " On thls desolated shore ? 

" Aye, much more, and much more wisely, 

For your inmost life they know ; 
Know its thoughts, its loves, its motives. 

As they never could below." 

Speak again, my soul : Why is it 

God hath taken them away, 
In their youth and joy and beauty. 

Leaving me bereft to stay ? 




and Other Poems 8g 



" Life, we know, hath many mansions ; 

Souls, appointed work to do ; 
Theirs lies in the world of spirit; 

Yours in this awaits its due." 

If I, then, give o'er this grieving ; 

Do the work that keeps me here ; 
Shall I have again my darlings : 

Guerdon to my heart so dear ? 

" Surely yes ! Though, here, not always 
Have we with us those we love, 

Hearts united find each other 
In the spirit realms above." 



go 



Hear then the Verdict 



Co the Snow Sprite 

" The snow-flakes fall, each one a gem." — Gibson. 

HE morn hath come again, and lo ! 
Thou comest, pure and happy Snow ! 
Ah ! charming elf, I would that you 
Had stayed away the winter through. 




For, child of purity, I know 
How you'll be treated here below. 
You come enrobed in stainless white ; 
But ah ! before approach of night, 



and Other Poems gi 



Your robe of purity will be 
A sad, bedraggled sight to see ! 
Rough man will throw you into cart 
And, trampling on your broken heart. 
Will drag you forth and dump you down 
Among the garbage of the town. 
Then you will wish, no less than I, 
You had not left your native sky. 



1)$rr$ and £tnil$ United 

" From our own selves our joys must flow, 

And that dear hut — our home." 

— Colton. 

" HAPPY the day that doth entwine, 
Emily dear, thy life with mine ! " 

" Angel were I, I'd hail the day 
My Harry comes with me to stay." 

" Reading the joy in thy sweet face, 
I were a fiend to it displace." 

" Reading true manliness in thine, 
Lovely the life assured as mine." 

" Yea, as OURS : for, as years go by, 
You will be you, and I will be I ! " 



g2 Hear then the Verdict 



Sittind at Va jfect 



Unto you it is given to l<now the mystery of the kingdom of God." 

—Jesus. 

i^VS o'er the hills of Galilee 



Our Lord and His disciples walked ; 
Or, sheltered 'neath Judean tree, 
On grassy plain they sat and talked ; 



How blest were they His voice to hear ! 

To watch His kind, expressive face ! 
To feel, while in His presence, fear 

To loving confidence give place ! 

And then what precious things He said 
Of Life, of Duty, Faith, and Love ! 

Of Death — that monster mortals dread ! 
Of God, and spirit realms above ! 

For " unto you," He said, " 'tis given " 
(O privilege surpassing thought !) 

" To know the mystery of Heaven." 
With this His mission here was fraught. 

He came not earthly realm to sway, 
But souls to save from sin and night ; 

Make known a world of cloudless day ; 
Bring Immortality to light. 



and Other Poems g^ 



Soul to Sense 

" There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."— S/. Paul. 

' ^-J[OW darest thou, sense, to defile the fane 
^\ Assigned as my Earth dwelling-place ? 
J 'Twas beautiful, once, ere vile Rum brought bane, 

Involving our home in disgrace. 

I deemed this fair temple devised for me 

Full worthy my regal descent ; 
And planned for us both that our joys should be 

Of body and soul wisely blent. 

I saw it adapted to noble use, 

This fane in the image of God, 
Nor dreamed of a possible base abuse, 

To make it the veriest clod. 

In youth, thou didst heed my advice, quite well ; 

Our happiness seemed quite assured ; 
Then Rum crossed our path, you stumbled and fell ; 

Now Hope in her grave lies immured. 

The wife thou didst choose I, too, well approved ; 

Thy children I counted my own ; 
And hadst thou been faithful, as need behooved. 

To honor we all should have grown. 



94 



Hear then the Verdict 




" Soul shall not yield her rights to sense " 

But now, with dear wife broken-hearted, ill ; 

Our children unclothed and unfed ; 
The mission to Earth I was sent to fill, 

Hath failed, and 'twere well you were dead ! 

But no ! Soul shall not yield her rights to Sense ! 

She will her dominion assert ! 
This day will we pledge with vile Rum to dispense 

His soul-damning haunts to desert ! 



and Other Poems 



95 



Beaut) %<m\ to M$ 

" I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty ; 
I woke, and found that life was duty." 

— EUiti Sturgis Hooper. 

?O^WAS early morn, spring cleaning time. 
{^J She stood equipped with broom in hand 

For war exterminate 'gainst dust, 
And hated carpet-eating moths, 
And cobwebs pendent, — all debris 
Of winter's cumulated waste. 




'• Equipped with broom " 



g6 Hear then the Verdict 

Her native wealth of dark brown hair, 
Not then, but sometime later seen, 
A coiffure wore, extemporized. 
Nor wore for ornament, but use. 
And other clothes, to work adapt. 
That erst had Iain in garret chest, 
Or lumber-room, apart, unused. 
Her graceful form indued. 

'Twas thus 
Enclad she stood. Nor stood abashed. 
As she would drop her broom and fly 
To re-enrobe for stranger guest. 
But proudly stood, erect, as one 
Who knew her worth was not in dress : 
Whose inner being, conscious self, 
Personified in form and mien. 
Whose attitude and atmosphere 
Proclaimed a Nature's queen. 

'Twas eve. 
Domestic duties now gave way 
To recreation's well-earned meed. 
Through door ajar that from the hall 
To spacious parlor oped the way, 
Sweet strains of music charmed the ear. 
Of instrument and well-trained voice. 
Constrained by courtesy of one 
Who bid me enter and enjoy, 



and Other Poems 



97 



I stood within a homelike scene : 
A guest-room, richly tapestried ; 
Twin windows, curtained heavily, 
One wall adorned. Upon the rest 
Some rare old German paintings hung ; 
While sofas, chairs, and ottomans, 
hi styles antique and various. 
Profusely offered restful ease. 




" At keys of Steinway " 

A lady, costumed gracefully, 

At keys of Steinway sat and sang. 

In sweetly trilling bird-like notes, 

A soulful Schubert classic Lied, 

She rose and turned to greet. The face 

Confirmed effect of voice and form : 

It was the maiden of the broom. 



g8 Hear then the Verdict 

Where next, and often since, we met, 
In library, to read, conjoint, 
Some fav'rite book of hers or mine, 
For long, long years will be a shrine 
To which my thought will pilgrimage. 
For there, as in her humbler sphere. 
Or priestess at Euterpe's shrine. 
Her taste and execution pleased. 
She read for information. Books 
That deal with deepest things in life, 
Repletest with sound argument. 
Seemed most to please and feed her mind. 
We read aloud. She read so well 
That, in the music of her voice, 
I lost, anon, the thread of thought. 
Nor deemed the loss exceeded gain. 

And now why praise of this fair girl 
Employs my pen I will reveal : 
'Tis not to woo her love — not that : 
Existent ties forbid the thought. 
Were this not so, discrepant age 
Would bar the suit. For this, too late. 
What might have been had, years ago. 
This lovely vision crossed my path 
Becomes me not to speculate. 

Intent and moral of my theme : 
That she, my friend, nor she alone. 



and Other Poems gg 



May know and, knowing, cultivate, 
What, in her coronet of charms, 
Are brightest gems in eyes of men. 
These beauty prize. No true man lives 
But knows its wondrous potency. 
I hold that maiden loveliness 
No rival hath in Nature's realm, 
Nor yet in realm of boastful Art. 
But beauty fades, nor is adapt. 
Alone, to meet life's full demands. 
And soonest fades in case of those 
Who, lacking most, are most bereft. 

Who beauty have, who have it not, 
One law obtains for these and those : 
To win and hold the hearts of men 
Whose hearts are worth the pains to win, 
Two sterling virtues most avail : 
A love of home, a love of books — 
DOMESTIC GRACE, INTELLIGENCE. 



LofC. 



w 



loo Hear then the Verdict 

%m\ minetcen 

" Your birthday, as my own, is dear to me." — ^Martial. 

H Y so quiet, dear papa mine ? 
You seem so sad ! 
Are you not glad 
That I to-day am ten and nine? " 

" O yes, dear child, so glad ! You know, 

As well as I 

Joy makes one cry." 
Why to her all my heartache show? 
Her daughter ten and nine ! Ah ! me : 

Though time seems slow. 

Years come and go ! 
And just nineteen that day was she ! 

Yes, just nineteen the very day 

That made her mine : 

That made her thine. 
Dear heart ! Ours still, though passed away. 

Yes, ours and here, if we could see : 

Love hath brought her 

To her daughter. 
Her nineteen-year-old girl and me. 

" So sad ! so quiet! " did she say? 
Well, life, though sweet. 
It were not meet 
That it should seem too light and gay. 



and Other Poems 



lOI 



dbe 2ove of /lfi$ breams 

" I had a dream which was not all a dream." — 'Bjron. 

HE begged me to write her 

a song to sing, 
Nor dreamed of the joy her 
request would bring ; 
For how could she know that 

the girl I love 
Is just as much like her as 
dove like dove? 
Just the same eyes, 
Just the same hair, 
Just the same ripple of wave- 
lets there ; 
Just the same mouth, 
Just the same chin, 
Just the same glitter of pearls 
within. 




'• Only in dreams " 



The girl that I love I have longed to see. 
But only in dreams does she come to me ; 
So how do I know she is not my love : 
This girl as much like her as dove like dove ? 

Just the same size, 

Juse the same pose, 



J02 Hear then the Verdict 

Just the same lips, like a twin red rose ; 

Just \ht same boot, 

Just the same glove : 
Surely the girl of my dreams and love ! 

I've written this song that to her will tell 
This story of love that I know so well ; 
And if she be truly my dream-world love. 
She'll show it as like her as dove like dove 

Just the same blush, 

Just the same sigh. 
Just the same look in her love-lit eye ; 

Just the same " no ! " 

Just the same " y-e-s ; " 
Just the same pouting of lips to press. 



and Other Poems lo^ 




dbe £clipse lEclipscd 

" Blessed are clouds, to do as clouds Ao."— Shakespeare. 

^WAS natural, O silly man, 

When Sol and Luna chose to plan 
A nice flirtation in the sky, 
That they should have some clouds float by. 

You would yourself, you know you would. 
Although you think yourself so good. 
Take lots of pains to screen from sight 
An interview of such delight. 

The maker of this homespun rhyme 
Suspects they had a real good time : 
For Love's sweet sake, he hopes they had, 
E'en though astronomers were mad. 

For think how long this couple wait. 
Before things get in such a state 
That they can have a little spell 
Alone, unseen, their love to tell ! 



I04 



Hear then the Verdict 




" Astronomers were mad ' 



Why, months and months 

of waiting pass, 
Before this loving lad and 

lass 
Can more than at each 

other blink, 
Or of each other fondly 

think ! 
'Tis hoped that, from 

some point of view, 
Wise gazers caught some 

glimpses new 
Of how celestial wooings 

prove 
The harmony of holy love. 



a ipatber's Better 

Though far from the spot where the knot will be tied, 
Which gives me a daughter, my son a fair bride, 
The plains are too narrow, the mountains too slight. 
To hinder my love being with you that night. 
With all signs propitious, with Heaven your friend, 
Dear son and dear daughter, may your lives so blend, 
That faults which were either's, while living alone, 
May merge in the virtues of both, now made one. 



and Other Poems 105 



/iRotber $oe9 to Iber Child 

" It soweth here with toil and care, 
But the harvest-time of love is there." 

— Soiithey. 

I f ATHER, mother, sister, brother, 
jt Husband of the dear one gone, 
\ Think not, feel not, you have lost her : 
She is all the more your own. 

Could your tear-stained eyes be opened. 
Could you scan that farther shore, 

You would witness scene to charm you : 
Mother clasping child once more. 

Could you see that happy mother 

Press her darling to her heart ; 
See her lovely features beaming 

With the thought *' no more to part ! " 

Though your tears ceased not their flowing, 
They would flow from joy-lit love. 

As your souls drank in the picture 
Of the happy group above. 



jo6 



Hear then the Verdict 



Siscipline of Sut$ 

" The path of duty is the way to glory." — Tennyson. 




" God knows best 



ADY dear, of charms 

surpassing, 
If beset with cares harass- 
ing, 
Do not let them sore 

alarm thee, 
Never think them meant 

to harm thee, 
n life's field where thou 

art gleaning 
Each small grain enfolds 

a meaning. 
God knows best the kind 

of schooling 



Will best earn the wand of ruling ; 
Raiseth one, by steps of duty, 
To a goal of self-earned beauty : 
Lifteth one on pinions mortal 
Unction preened by touch immortal. 
Duty earneth Heaven's blessing, 
Or it were not worth possessing. 



and Other Poems loy 



a flMCftj ScbooU(Bfrl 

"When in doubt, win the trick." — Hoy!e. 

T 'M sorry, dear Jessie, that you have been ill, 
j^ And cannot go on with your class ; 

Though full of ambition and resolute will, 
You surely can't graduate, lass." 

With genuine pity the principal spoke. 

And felt, as he looked,, very sad ; 
But Jessie's eyes twinkled, as if at a joke, 

As this she replied in voice glad : — 

" The willing and plucky 

Deserve to be lucky, 
And girls should be right up to date ; 

So, with your permission, 

I'll test my ambition. 
And prove that I can graduate ! " 

And so it all happened that Jessie did try. 
And climbed into line with her class ; 

Did bravely her enemy, sickness, defy, 
And win from the school board a pass. 



io8 Hear then the Verdict 

And when the day came that beribboned white rolls 

Were given to those who had won, 
'Twas found that on one of those coveted scrolls 

Was writ, " Jessie Archer De Shun." 

Yes, the willing and plucky 

Deserve to be lucky. 
And Jessie was right up to date : 

For, granted permission. 

She tried her ambition. 
And proved that she could graduate. 



and Other Poems log 



H Vers Civil War 

Love is your master, for he masters you."— Shakespeare. 

THOUGH the war of the rebellion 
Furled its banners long ago, 
And the tidal wave of fratricide 
Has wholly ceased to flow, 
A conspiracy is brewing. 

Just as sure as sure can be, 
'Tween the State of Massachusetts 
And the State of Tennessee. 

Though details are not in evidence, 

It certainly is true 
That negotiations pending. 

At this moment, 'twixt the two. 
Clearly indicate surrender, 

On a basis full and free. 
Of the State of Massachusetts 

To the State of Tennessee. 

This, at least, the Muse discovered : 

On a charming summer day, 
Came to Boston fairest maiden, 

Bright and sweet as morn in May, 
Whom a youth no sooner sighted 

Than he fell in love, you see. 
He a youth of Massachusetts, 

She a girl of Tennessee. 



no 



Hear then the Verdict 



So they talked about their sections : 

" Sunny South," and " Chilly North ^' ; 
And the maiden praised the former, 

Thought the latter little worth ; 
And you know a man can't argue 

With the girl he loves, a wee I 
So the State of Massachusetts 

Stood no show with Tennessee. 




' Unconditional surrender " 



Well—" O pshaw ! " it can't be doubted 

That the day is near at hand, 
When the vote will pass in favor 

Of the maiden's " summer land " ! 
Unconditional surrender : 

To no less will she agree, 
Of the State of Massachusetts 

To the State of Tennessee. 



and Other Poems m 



u 



So Soved ©nes ''©ver dberc'' 

There is no death ! What seems so is transition." — Longfellow. 

DEARLY loved ones, are ye so far away 
Ye cannot come back to me just for a day ? 
I'm weary and lonesome, and long so for you ! 
O do you not love me and long for me, too ? 

come for a moment, if not for a day, 

To prove you are living " just over the way " ! 
Though I should continue your absence to mourn, 
A hopeful aloneness were easier borne. 

For years I have waited and hoped, darlings mine, 
For some little token, a word or a line ; 
But out of the stillness no tidings have come. 
Dispelling the shadows Death left in our home. 

1 know there are many who say they can prove 
That oft from some loved one in realm above 
Come tidings to show that, though passed on before, 
'Tis not, as some think, to an " echoless shore." 

So try, O my darlings, to find out the road 
By which to revisit your earthly abode. 
Entreat some great spirit of wisdom divine 
To teach you the use of the telepath line. 



JI2 



Hear then the Verdict 



dbe CbattiDion Cloud^/ffidher 

" The more fair and crystal is the sky. 
The uglier seem the clouds that in it fly." 

— Shakespeare. 

H Y ! cloudlets are flecking 

my darling's sweet face, 
Where cloudlets must 

never be given a place ! 
These all must be hurled 

helter-skelter away, 
And never be seen there 

again from this day ! " 

So pleasantly chided the 
groom on the day 

That made him the hus- 
band of sweet Bertha 

"Why! cloudlets" May, 

Whose love he so cherished, and her loved so true. 
Whatever her wish should be his wish, he knew ! 

" Whatever? " Ah ! yes, in his heart he believed 
He'd live true to her ! But himself he deceived : 
The cloudlets he noticed the day they were wed 
Persisted, grew darker, and more widely spread. 




and Other Poems ii^ 



"And what them occasioned?" Ah! that which hath 

seamed 
More faces and hearts than the world ever dreamed ; 
And scarred them so deeply, the dark yawning grave 
Is yearned for, as yielding what life never gave. 

The cloudlets that shadowed the face of his bride 
Were limned by his breath, as he stood by her side ; 
Suggesting a possible future so drear 
That, strive as she might, she could not banish fear. 

The years came and went, and each darkened the hue 
Of clouds that pervaded their home through and through ; 
For Rum had asserted full sway, and then called 
His wonted attendants, and them there installed. 

So Poverty, Cruelty, Lewdness, and Shame, 

Unhoused the fair tenants — Sweet Love and Good Name ; 

Excluded all guests from fair regions above, 

And drowned in vile Drink the last vestige of Love ! 

Oh ! why will our young men so blindly ignore 
Their manhood in boyhood by haunting that door 
That leads to the drunkard's detestable doom. 
Involving themselves and their loved ones in gloom? 

Nay, why will good citizens longer refrain 
From closing that door with the law's throttling chain ? 
From punishing men who dare tempt fellow-men 
To ever pass over that threshold again ? 



114 Hear then the Verdict 



Saturday flidbt 

A WEEK of worry and work and strife 
Peacefully wanes to a restful close ; 

All Nature pulses a calmer life, 
Sensing approach of a sweet repose. 



The morn now ushers the Lord's blest day, 
Sweetly to cleanse and renew, by rest, 

The Earthly house of the soul's brief stay : 
Fit it anew for its Heavenly guest. 



and Other Points ii^ 



Relieve fn (Bod and trust lbis Son 

" Let not your heart be troubled."— :/^5ms. 

KET not your hearts be troubled : 
Ye believe in God, trust me. 
In my Father's house in Heaven 
There are many mansions, free. 

If not so, I would have told you : 
I would not your hearts deceive, 

But would fill them all with gladness. 
If ye only could believe. 

For the time of my departure 
From this world will soon be due. 

When I go among those mansions 
To prepare a place for you. 

When up there all things are ready, 

I will come again, be sure, 
To receive and keep you with me. 

Where I am, if ye be pure. 

So let not your hearts be troubled. 

Neither let them be afraid ; 
But rejoice when ye remember 

Whatsoever I have said. 



n6 



Hear then the Verdict 



Cbe iRum Seller JuMldnf^ 

" Tremble, thou wretch. 

That hast within undivulged crimes, 

Unwhipped of justice." 

— Shakespeare, 

'VE got it! I've got it!" he 

shouted for joy, 
And chuckled and danced like 

a half-witted boy ! 
" And what has he gotten, 

this boaster, pray tell ? " 
Why, license to send his weak 

neighbors to — well, 
Rum-drinking, idleness, shift- 

lessness, shame : 
Ultimate ruin of fortune and 

fame ; 
Drunkenness, penury, gross 

self-neglect. 
Loss of their own and of 

others' respect. 

They signed it last night ! " 
Why, the right 




I've got it 



"I've got it! I've got it! 

*' And what does this document grant? " 

Intoxicant liquors of all kinds to sell. 

To rake in the dollars and send men to — well. 



* Set to music. 



and Other Poems tiy 



Rum-drinking, idleness, shiftlessness, shame : 
Ultimate ruin of fortune and fame ; 
Drunkenness, penury, gross self-neglect, 
Loss of their own and of others' respect. 

" I've got it ! I've got it ! " " And pray tell us, now, 
How came they to sign it ? " You voters know how : 
Your ballots instructed the city to sell 
The right to recruit for the armies of— well, 
Mendicants, criminals, suicides— all 
Who under the curse of the rum-traffic fall ! 
Alms-houses, prisons, and brothels are filled 
Largely by what your bad voting has willed. 

** I've got it ! I've got it ! " Ah, yes, so he has ! 

And thousands of others have got it, alas ! 

And millions of people are rushing, pell-mell. 

To ruin through legalized pitfalls of— well, 

Why don't we stop it? Why license base greed, 
First to besot men, then on them to feed ? 
Criminal they who dare murder outright : 
Fiendish the business that homes doth so blight ! 



II 8 Hear then the Verdict 



Cbrlstian £ndeavor* 

"A Christian is the highest style of man.'' — Young. 

WHAT is the Faith, the working Faith, the Faith 
of Christian Endeavor? 
That God is our Father and Christ his Son ; 
The Church, though appearing divided, one ; 
Diversity aiding what needs to be done : 

The good from the evil to sever. 
That churches are training-retreats for work ; 
And none of their members may idly shirk ; 
But battle with evils where'er they lurk ; 
And yield to discouragement never ! 
This is the Faith, the living Faith, the Faith of Christian 
Endeavor. 

What Is the Work, the daily Work,- the Work of Chris- 
tian Endeavor? 
To follow the Master in word and deed ; 
On lowlands and highlands to sow good seed ; 
To succor the helpless, rebuke base greed ; 

And stand for humanity ever. 
To help on the time when the angels' song 
Shall echo the hills and the vales along, 
Proclaiming that righteousness rules, and wrong 

*By permission of The B. F. Wood Music Co., Boston, Mass. 



and Other Poems iig 



Shall triumph no longer forever. 
This is the Work, the life-long Work, the Work of Chris- 
tian Endeavor. 

What is the Hope, the cheering Hope, the Hope of Chris- 
tian Endeavor ? 
That work for the Master will speed the day 
When nations and people, earth-wide, shall say : 
" Our Christ is the Truth, and the Life, the Way," 

And lift the whole world by that lever. 
That under the reign of the Prince of Peace 
All warring and rumors of war shall cease, 
All wretchedness fostered by sin decrease. 
And God's name be glorified ever. 
This is the Hope, the world's great Hope, the Hope of 
Christian Endeavor. 

What is the Crown, the laurel Crown, the Crown of 
Christian Endeavor ? 
The joy of attesting to Christ our love, 
Which loving our neighbor alone can prove, 
Till summoned to service in worlds above, 
To reign with and work with Him ever.. 
The glorious welcome which they await, 
Who, laden with sheaves from their Lord's estate, 
Stand ready to enter, through Heaven's high gate, 
The joy of their Master forever ! 
This is the Crown, the jeweled Crown, the Crown of 
Christian Endeavor. 



I20 Hear then the Verdict 



IDalk^s 1[tnpl$ jfinoiintdins 

" I count life just the stuff 
To try the soul's strength on." 

— drowning. 

'TTy^ kY, far away from the home of my heart ; 
/| Compelled by the war with my lover to part ; 
/ How lonely and sad I am feeling to-day, 

No other can know, for I try to seem gay. 

** I think of the time when surrounded by those 
Who loved me and shared in my joys and my woes ; 
And wonder if ever again there will come 
The longed-for delights of true love and a home. 

*' Ah ! should my dear soldier lad never come back, 
My life, so bereft, all of brightness would lack ! 
For how could I weather Earth's storm-clouds alone, 
All hope quite extinguished, my courage all gone? 

" But hark ! That quick step ! Why, it sounds like his 
own ! 
My heart— O how big it has suddenly grown ! 
That voice ? It is his ! O kind Heaven, forget 
My thankless distrust : there is joy for me yet ! " 



and Other Poems 



121 



"Why, Ada, my darling, 

while speeding the miles, 
I dreamed of a face all en- 

wreathed in sweet 

smiles ! 
But lo ! I now see it all 

dewy with tears ! 
A shower of gladness, or 

what it appears?" 

'' O James, could you know 
how I've longed for the 
day 
When, safe from the war, you were with me to stay, 
You'd well understand the pent feeling that flies 
To greet its reliever with tear-streaming eyes.*' 

" My darling, I do know, and, knowing, I pray 
That we do proceed, without further delay, 
To vest our joint love in a home-building scheme, 
And prove the sweet life of which both of us dream." 




TRUE self-control ? What is it. Lord, 
But self, attuned to sweet accord 
With Nature's law and Thy behest, 
Pursuing what is noblest, best? 



122 Hear then the Verdict 



lbumaiilt$*s flag* 

" Be humanity evermore our goal." — Goethe. 

>^\LL hail to the nation, the glorious nation, 

I— J That wars in defense of humanity's weal ! 
J That, free from the curse of unjust usurpation, 

Stands ready the wounds of her neighbor to heal ! 
Whose brave sons of freemen, from field and from city, 

March quickly to rescue the weak from the strong ; 
To teach haughty tyrants the meaning of pity, 

And help them distinguish the right from the wrong. 

REFRAIN 

O star-lit " Old Glory," 

Repeat thy proud story, 
Of nation that never hath battled in vain ! 

How oft thy proud waving 

Hath signaled the saving 
Of downtrodden people from tyranny's chain ! 

Though bitter the wail that ascended to Heaven 

When demons incarnate exploded The Maine, 
It caused not the edict that Peace should be riven, 

Nor sounded the tocsin of war against Spain. 
Far nobler the plea that unfurled thee so proudly, 

O Flag 'neath whose folds it is glory to bleed ! 
Lead on, and the world, though our guns thunder loudly 

Shall know that we fight nor for vengeance nor greed. 

* Set to music. 



and Oihir Poems 12^ 



And when fair Columbia's warring is over, 

She'll value results by her givings, not gains : 
For even her foes shall have come to discover 

That justice empowers her arms and her brains. 
All nations of Earth shall have learned, in like manner, 

How strong are the FREE to unchain the ENSLAVED : 
How freedom's best emblem, the Star Spangled Banner, 

Hath ever for God and humanity waved ! 



(Benius Superior to Unfirmity 

Behold the man who, deaf to sound, 
Enrhythms hearts the world around. 
Enrapt within, his outer ear, 
Through many an anguished silent year. 
His mighty soul-throbs scorned to hear. 
O courage noble ! Triumph grand ! 
Victorious o'er such woe to stand. 
Eternal fame thy meed will be, 
Nor quit in full man's debt to thee ! 



124 Hear then the Verdict 



Imitation forms our manners, our opinions, our very lives." 

— Weiss. 

WHEN I'm a boy of eight or ten, 
You won't ketch me a-playin' men 
By hangin' round the beer saloons 
Afore I'm wearin' pantaloons. 

Nor I won't hunt the streets, you bet. 
To find a dirty cigarette, 
And when I do, see how it smokes, 
Gist so's to be like bigger folks. 

No, sir ! I won't be sich a fool ! 
I 'member teacher said at school 
She wished us boys would try to be 
Gist like the nicest men we see. 

So I'll gist pick me out a man, 
The very bestest one I can, 
And then gist try, with all my might. 
To imitate him, day and night. 

And teacher said, " Don't git a taste 
That causes crime and lots of waste. 
That stomachs wasn't made to take 
What doesn't brain and muscle make." 




' I'll gist follow teacher's plan, 
And Jesus make my model man " 



and Othsr Poems 125 



You bet your life my model man 
Won't be no bloated whisky can ! 
Nor he won't fill himself with beer, 
Nor nothing else that makes men queer. 

And he won't smoke that nasty stuff 
That's called " tobacco "—not a puff ! 
He'll think of something else to do 
'Sides scratchin' matches on his shoe. 

And he won't swear. I'm awful 'fraid 
When I hear naughty swear words said 
I feel as though I must not dare 
To 'sociate with boys that swear. 

My teacher said she thought my plan 
To have a real nice model man, 
Was gist a splendid thing to do, 
And wished all boys would do. so, too. 

But then she said I'd have to mind 
That perfect men were hard to fmd ; 
But if I'd follow her advice, 
My plan would work all right and nice. 

She said the bestest man for me 
Lived, when a boy, in Galilee : 
That He was born on Christmas day, 
And was gist perfect, ev'ry way. 



126 Hear then the Verdict 

She said that Jesus (that's His name) 
Was sent by God, and He gist came 
To be a " model man " for men, 
And then went back to Heaven again. 

And if I'd pray to Him, that He 
Would make a real good man of me ; 
So I'll gist follow teacher's plan, 
And Jesus make my " model man." 

And think how awful nice 'twould be 
If boys would all agree with me ! 
What lots of good we boys could do : 
We'd make the old folks gooder, too. 

Come on, then, boys, and lets us see 
What manly fellers we can be, 
By doing all the good we can. 
With Jesus for our " model man " ! 



A CHARMING young maiden has entered my life, 
And I'm sure she has come there to stay ; 

Her beauty of person and sweetness of soul 
Bring her nearer and nearer each day. 

Now please do not ask me to number the years 

Intervening between hers and mine : 
That does not concern you. Besides, don't you know 

How young twig with old oak doth entwine.? 



and Other Poems ^27 



2be Sparrow Crial 

•• There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow." 

— Sbakispeare. 

THE charges 'gainst Sparrow must be very grave, 
To cause wise officials liis slaughter to crave ; 
So we, Sparrow's friends, have assembled to hear 
What crimes he's committed to cause so much fear. 
We will not defend him. 

If real crimes are named. 
But help you to end him, 
If guilty as blamed. 

If Sparrow is chattering words that are vile. 
So boys may be tempted to ape his bad style. 
And even grown men may, if Sparrow remain. 
Contract the vile habit of language profane. 
Then we will, most gladly. 

Assist you to foil 
Result which so sadly 
Our men-folks would spoil. 

If Sparrow's addicted to tippling the slops. 
Oft purposely spilled near the alcohol shops 
To lure, by their odor, those customers back. 
Whose will to resist such temptation is slack, 



128 Hear then the Verdict 

He might as well vanish : 

It recks not how soon, 
Unless we can banish 

Man's foe, the saloon. 

If, having contracted the nicotine craze. 
He saunters the streets with his bill all ablaze, 
And vents on the sidewalks malodorous juice. 
Till they are unfit for pedestrian use, 
Then we will not hinder 
Your purpose to slay, 
But grind him to cinder, 
Whenever you say. 

If none of these habits against him are charged, 
(On which you observe we have somewhat enlarged,) 
Then since all these wrongs are allowed to exist, 
What could Sparrow do that is worse, we insist ? 



and Other Poems i2g 



iin$ HHoodMtie Sedge 3(e\vels 

" Home should be an oratorio of the memory." — 'Beecber. 

Feast thou mine eyes on gems the rarest 

Ever yet mined by land or sea ; 
Gladden my soul with scenic beauty 

Grandest and sweetest known to thee ; 
Rend me the veil on sight celestial 

Such as would soul of seraph thrill ; 
Group these, nor dream with them to purchase 

Heart-space which these my jewels fill. 



i^o Hear then the Verdict 




Tis e'en as if an angel shook his wings.'' — Cowper. 

|VER cheerful, ever happy, 
Eyes and plumage ever bright. 
Tell me, Billy, what's thy secret? 
Whence the source of thy delight? 

Thou for home hath not a palace ; 

Curbed thy freedom, doled thy bread ; 
All thy days and nights are lonely ; 

Bird-world all to thee is dead. 

Yet I never see thee moping. 
Grieving, scolding, or dismayed ; 

Nervous, restless, fearing danger 
Where no threat'ning is displayed. 

Hast thou, in thy own pure bosom, 

Spring of joy to feed thy lay ? 
Wells a fount of bliss within thee, 

Heaven replenished day by day ? 

Ah ! I see ! Bright gleams of sunshine 
Pierce thy window, gild thy breast ! 

Muc'h they seem the golden pathway 
Of descending angel guest. 



and Other Poems 



ni 




"Tell me, Billy, what's thy secret? " 

Quick responsive notes seraphic, 
Swelling, trilling, fill the air ! 

Telling me, in plainest bird-phrase, 
Of a realm where all is fair : 



Where no clouds o'erhang the spirit ; 

Where who live must live to praise ; 
Heaven's glorious sunlight shining 

Brightly on through endless days. 



1^2 Hear then the Verdict 




Sbeir Sin Meddins 

1891-1901 

Dear Jessie and Carl, to keep love within, 
Are planning to cover their house with tin. 

AN you realize, Jessie, the years that have sped, 
A whole decade of years, since the day we were 
wed?" 



" Joyously sped, we may truly say, 
Ever more sweetly, Carl, day by day." 

" Rightly spoken, my darling, for we have this proof : 
Love so gladly seeks shelter beneath our home roof." 

" Say ! that suggests : Is there not some way — 
Surely there must be— to make love stay ? " 

" Ever at it, dear Jessie ! Why, yes : Lure him in. 
Then we'll shingle our cottage all over with tin ! " 

" Isn't that splendid ! Let's do it, dear, 
Ending the trick May sixteenth, this year! " 

" O how jolly ! And doubtless he'll be here, that day. 
Nor at all disappointed if compelled to stay ! " 



and Other Poems 



n3 



21 Mcar$ housewife 

" I am weary and overwrought." — Longfellow. 

©WOULD I could live where there's nothing to do : 
No call for such toiling my whole life clear 
through ! 
No cooking to manage ; no dishes to wash ; 
No children to see to and all such like bosh ! 

No sweeping, no dusting, no mak- 
ing of beds ; 

No mending of garments all worn 
into shreds ; 

No darning old stockings; no 
knitting of new ; 

Such work is just horrid, the 
catalogue through ! 

I'd banish all washing and ironing 

days : 
Their suds-reeking air and their 

steam-choking haze ; 
With scrubbing, and churning, and 

" No sweeping, no dusting " baking of br»ad, 

I never was tortured before I was wed. 




1^4 Hear then the Verdict 

It can't be my duty, I'm sure it is not, 
Contentment to feel witli so hateful a lot ! 
With face that is comely, and hands that are while, 
To shine in " society " — that is my right. 

Instead of this drudging my time should be free 

Just to "dress," and "go out," to "be seen," and "to 

see." 
To play the piano, late novels to read : 
Ah ! that is the life for a lady to lead ! 

Poor fool that 1 was when I married for love ; 
Prized husband and home other pleasures above ; 
I now know that wealth must accompany these, 
If ladies who marry would live at their ease. 

Next time when I marry — it may come some day, 
When this good old husband gets out of the way— 
I'll know there is money enough and to spare^ 
To save me this horrible house-keeping care ! 



and Other Poems 7^5 




He is the greatest conqueror who has conquered himself." — Troverb. 

WIFE 

EAR husband, our children are crying for bread ; 
Their clothes are all tattered and torn ; 
'Twere better if they and their mother were dead 
I would they had never been born ! " 

CHILDREN 

" O father, give up the saloon ! 
O say you will go there no more ! 

And then we'll have bread, 

Be clothed and well fed. 
And happy again as before : 
O yes, we'll be happy so soon ! " 

WIFE 

" O husband, resist not that piteous cry : 
The cry of the children we love ! 
I'm sure you can banish the cup if you try, 
With help from our Father above." 

* Set to music. 



1^6 Hear then the Verdict 

CHILDREN 

" O father, decide right awayl 
O say you will quit the saloon ! 
Then mamma and we, 
Who love you, will be 
So glad and so happy, real soon : 
O yes ! we'll be happy to-day ! " 

HUSBAND 

" O wife of my bosom ! O children so dear ! 
Your prayers and your tears do prevail ; 
I never again in saloon will appear ; 
This pledge I am bound shall not fail." 

ALL 

" We now can defy the saloon. 
We'll be its sad victims no more. 

For what we there spent 

We'll save to a cent, 
And soon will have plenty in store : 
O yes ! we'll be happy so soon ! " 



and Other Poems i^y 



Iflirting on tbe Stairs* 

" His very foot has music in it, 
As he comes up the stair." 

— Mickle. 

I'VE the dearest little sweetheart, 
She is full of winsome airs ; 
But she's never half so charming 
As when flirting on the stairs. 
And her mamma never cares, 
When she finds us unawares. 
In the midst of our flirtation on the stairs. 

REFRAIN 

No, her parents never care. 
When they spy us on the stair. 
But, with a nod and wink, say: " See yonder pair ! " 

I'm no sooner in the hall-way 

Then my pet to it repairs, 
And insists upon our having 

A flirtation on the stairs. 

And her mamma never cares, 

Our enjoyment even shares, 
When detecting our flirtation on the stairs. 



* Set to music. 



138 



Hear then the Verdict 



Yes, my love is very 
youthful, 
In my locks are silver 
hairs ; 
But they make us young 
together, 
These flirtations on the 

stairs. 
And her mamma never 

cares. 
Never frowningly de- 
clares 
I'm too old to flirt with 
Mary on the stairs. 

Time will hide me from 
my sweetheart, 
Ere she knows a wom- 
an's cares ; 
But I'm sure she will re- 
member " ^^ '°^^ '^ ^^""^ youthful " 
Our flirtations on the stairs. 
When her mamma's years and cares 
Thread her locks with silver hairs, 
She'll look back and see her darling on the stairs. 




and Other Poems i ^g 



finding a ]friend 

A generous friendship no cold medium knows." — Tope's " Iliad." 

Y I MAIDEN stepped into a car one day, 
j\ Smiling as bright as a morn in May : 
©/ Into seat vacant beside my own 

Gracefully, cheerfully, sat she down : 
(Ever is better a smile than frown). 
That maiden that moment became my friend, 
Always to be so till life shall end. 
Sever we may, yet each will aye feel 
The other remembers, with friendship real. 
Rarest of blessings is friend-love true : 
Priceless the service it renders, too. 
I deem it always a Heaven-sent prize : 
Ever good angel in Earthly guise. 
Time doth reveal to me, more and more, 
As onward I press toward the golden shore : 
Aye, Drummond hath said it, that love divine- 
Loving another's weal more than " mine " — 
Outvalues all else in the now and here, 
And reaches its climax in Heaven's high sphere. 



J40 Hear then the Verdict 




" What is this thought or thing 
Which I call beauty? " 

— [Mrs. 'drowning. 

O you ask me to paint you my darling, 
My ideal beauty, my love ? 
Little think you the task you have set me 
So looms my poor art-skill above. 

You have thought her a girl of the 
million : 
A commonplace, unthinking 
lass ; 
One devoting much time just to 
primping, 
And posing in front of her 
glass. 

You have never conceived of her 
being 
Possessed of a beauty that glows 
Independent of costly cosmetics ; 
Regardless of shallow-pate 
beaux. 

" Posing in front of her glass " 




and Other Poems i^i 



You'll expect me to paint you her wardrobe ; 

The style of her coiffure portray ; 
To exhibit her recherche posings ; 

To all which I've only to say : 

I've not counted nor measured her mirrors ; 

Cosmetics are never in sight ; 
As for " posing," she leaves that to Nature, 

To whom it belongs, as of right. 

In a word, all her beauties and graces 
Of form, as of mind and of heart. 

From within shine without : So my darling 
Is product of Nature — not Art. 



" A FRIEND in need is a friend indeed," 
Is a saying old and true ; 
And I, indeed, am the chap in need, 
And the friend, I think, is you. 



14^ Hear then the Verdict 



HBeunited 

Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal." — IMoore. 

©WEEP not, my children, 
For well do I know 
I cannot be happy, 
And tarry below. 
Just think how your father 

Is longing to share 
With me the sweet home 
He went on to prepare ! 

" So long and so sweetly 

We lived here as one, 
How can we be happy 

And each live alone ? 
Although separation 

Has been very brief. 
My heart is so burdened 

It must have relief. 

" So, weep not, my children. 
But cheerfully say 
That love, and not evil, 
Hath lured her away. 



and Other Poems 143 



Refrain from repining, 
And wishing me back, 

Assured that my gaining 
Is more than your lack. 

Let this be your comfort : 

That mother has gone 
To be with her husband, 

So lately passed on. 
That they, reunited. 

In sweet home above, 
Will both be so happy 

In each other's love ! " 

O wonderful lesson ! 

O glorious truth ! 
That love is immortal : 

Ne'er loseth its youth ! 
Lives on, undiminished. 

Through life, beyond death 
Eternally wearing 

An unfading wreath ! 



144 



Hear then the Verdict 



%mAm SSm become WSm 

" 'Tis a burden 
Which I am proud to bear." 

— Shakespeare. 

T^ ACK-A-DAY ! Lack-a-day ! " was the pitiful song 
I V Of a dear little birdling which, all the day long, 

Sat alone on the bush where it first saw the light, 
And bemoaned what to it seemed a very bad plight ! 




" Sat alone on the bush " 



and Other Poems 143 



For, away in the sky and on many a tree, 
Was abundance of evidence, birdie could see, 
Ttiat a rightly made bird was intended to fly. 
Just as far as it pleased, in the great vaulted sky. 

" I am not rightly made," thought the bird, " I've no 

wings : 
On my back, in their stead, are two featherless things. 
Which I think were just put there to burden me down : 
There can be no good reason why they should have 

grown." 

But the days came and went, and our birdie grew strong ; 
And the " featherless things " feathered out, before long ; 
And the poor thing that Mew it was never to fly 
Just forgot all about it, and one day did try ! 

And it never stopped trying, and trying built strength, 
And strength begat courage, and courage, at length. 
Thrilled its breast with a longing no bird could deny. 
And it rose in the air, soaring far up the sky ! 



146 Hear then the Verdict 



/IRy Spirit \Ddkittiite 

" I have friends In Spirit Land." — Whittier. 

THERE'S a beautiful Indian spirit ; 
She is petite of form, and fair ; 
She has jet black eyes, they tell me. 
And a wealth of raven hair. 

In costume ornate and becoming, 

In person exquisitely neat, 
In all things attractive in girlhood, 

This maiden is charmingly sweet. 

And now I will tell you a secret 
Concerning this maiden and me : 

A secret to keep — now remember! — 
Until the next neighbor you see. 

This Indian spirit, so charming, 

Confesses affection for me. 
And I ? Why, I love her so dearly 

I'm longing her sweet face to see ! 

" To see ! And have you not seen her ? " 
No wonder you ask in surprise ; 

Ah ! no ! I sadly must answer : 
My sweetheart is veiled to my eyes. 



and Other Poems 147 



She visits me often, they tell me : 
Is much of the time by my side, 

So lovingly, some who have seen her 
Have thought she was truly my bride ! 

She has promised to sunder the curtain 
That hides her away from my sight, 

And, sometime, O yes, I am certain, 
I'll see her with joyous delight. 

At least there's a day in the future 
When, a-weary of sub-lunar strife, 

The veil now dividing between us 
Will include me on her side of life. 

Till then her invisible presence 
Means a blessing to me and to mine, 

And so I rejoice to confess her 
My angel, my sweet valentine. 



148 Hear then the Verdict 



2be Sauntkss Crew of the iiBcrrfmac* 

y^-sj ARK ! you men : I have planned a scheme 
\^\ That calls for a dauntless crew : 
J None should go with the faintest dream 

Of living the venture through. 
But you'll be called, though you come not back, 
* The Dauntless Crew of the Merrimac' " 

REFRAIN 
O brave-hearted Hobson ! O Merrimac crew! 
The richest of laurels are waiting for you, 
While faithfully serving America's need, 
The world has been watching and honors your deed. 

'* Who will go, and be known to fame 

As ready to face grim death ? 
Who refuse, and withhold his name 

From praise and the laurel wreath ? " 
Then Hobson learned that he would not lack 
A dauntless crew for the Merrimac. 

Hundreds offered and felt regret 

The service could use so few : 
Deigman, Phillips and George Charette, 

Klausen, Kelly, Montague, 
And Murphy— names to insure from wrack 
'* The Dauntless Crew of the Merrimac." 



* Set to music. 



and Other Poems 14^ 



" Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread. 

Whose flocks supply him with attire, 

Whose trees in summer yield him shade, 

In winter, fire." 

— Tope. 

¥E men of the plow, let me sing of your worth, 
Of how through all time since this world had its 
birth, 
Since earth yielded fruitage and clouds dropped down rain, 
Since men learned to labor and seek after gain, 
All best gifts of Nature and guerdon of toil 
Have chiefly depended on fruits of the soil. 
The seeds that are hopefully scattered to-day, 
Enticed from the glebe by the sun's coaxing ray, 
To-morrow come forth as humanity's food, 
Enriching the people with limitless good. 
Just think, if you can, how disastrous the change 
That quickly would follow the loss of the grange ! 
All social, domestic, and national health. 
Rank poverty's millions and people of wealth, 
All losing the staff and the anchor of life, 
Would be overthrown in the world-wrecking strife ! 
Ubiquitous power ! Thy sway is so grand, 
Great glory it sheds o'er the tiller of land ! 
Among the world's workers there surely should be 
No toiler more hopeful, more happy, than he. 



1^0 Hear then the Verdict 



iBappitiess in Small <Suarters 

" There is no place like home." — Howard. 

TJ HUNDRED years or more ago— 
jrl How many years I do not know — 
/ One of the strangest things occurred 

That ever mortal saw or heard ! 
But now please do not doubt the tale, 
Nor think of it as old and stale : 
Destroy not childhood's pleasing lore, 
Its nurses taught in rhymes of yore. 
Explain its moral, if you can : 
It's there, for mother, child, and man. 

There was a widow, brave though old, 

Whose wealth was great, but not in gold : 

By love enriched, for children ten — 

Frolicsome girls and mimic men — 

Relied on her for daily bread : 

They all by her were clothed and fed. 

And listen now, for I must tell 

In what queer house they all did dwell : 

The whole ten and their mother, too. 

Were safely housed in ONE OLD SHOE ! 



and Other Poems Y^j 




of St 

" A mystic bond of brotherhood makes all men one." — Goethe. 

IGNIFICANT, practical, glorious name I 
How quickly, decisively risen to fame ! 
Name tersely defining the Christ life for all 
Who fain would respond to the dear Master's call. 

As soon as St. Andrew the Saviour had seen, 
No selfish distrust did he let intervene, 
But quickly brought Simon to Jesus, and then 
Proceeded as promptly to bring other men. 

And never stopped bringing— indeed, never can, 
So long as exists a degenerate man ; 
For Andrew will always real Christians enthuse 
To follow his method— his love-force to use. 

To-day, as we measure the Brotherhood field, 
Take note of its sowing, its growth, and its yield, 
We see and rejoice in the glorious truth, 
That Brotherhood garners great harvests of youth. 

Take courage, then, Brothers : ye toil not in vain ; 
Your service will bring to yourselves priceless gain ; 
And doubt not the Master will help you to win 
Young men, more and more, from the by-paths of sin. 



752 Hear then the Verdict 



Hi ffieltabU Cosmetic 

" They are never alone that are accompanied with noble thoughts." 

— Sidney. 

¥OUNG lady, the truly reliable way 
To aid Nature's effort to have Beauty stay, 
And daily increase, more and more, 
Is aye to think beautiful, soul-thrilling thought : 
The kind happy angels to sheep-tenders brought, 
By tidings from Heaven they bore. 

Think beautiful thoughts, and your eyes will grow bright, 
Your features express their full share of delight. 

Complexion, too, changing its hue. 
Each feature, each gesture, will quickly respond 
In ways and degrees your best hope quite beyond. 

Please try it ! I would, were I you. 



and Other Poems 15^ 




l^ostmati at tbe ]Door 

Welcome the coming, speed the parting guest."— To/)e. 

|AMMA! mamma! Come quick, mamma! 
Here's the postman at the door ! " 
Shouted Lillie, for that tinkle 
Meant for her a letter, sure ! 

For did not her charming classmate 

Say she'd write this very day? 
Would not letter come this evening ? 

'* O it must! it must! " she'll say. 

Well, and did the darling get it ? 

Hopes like Lillie's often fail ; 
But we must not blame the postman 

For delayed expected mail. 

'Tis his duty, and his pleasure, 

To rejoice us with good news ; 
But alas ! as much his duty 

Mail to bring we'd fain refuse. 

If he knew the news he carries. 

Whether cheering or adverse. 
He must faithful be to duty, 

And he is, you bet your purse ! 



^54 



Hear then the Verdict 



No more faithful band of toilers 
Than these carriers of the mail 

Walk the streets of any city : 
Serving all, on hill, in dale. 

Be the weather fair or dismal, 
Be the carrier ill or well, 

If he has for you a message, 
He on time will ring your bell. 



B Mcddina l^rcsettt 




The knife for her, to cut the cord 
That binds to each old lover. 

The fork for him, for, ere long wed. 
He'll hear request : " Fork over ! " 



and Other Poems 755 



a Studeitfs ifarewell 

" To know, to esteem, to love — and then to part. 
Makes up life's tale to many a feeling heart." 

— Coleridge. 

CHOOLMATES dear, I now must leave you, 
Leave the scene I love so well, 
Though 'tis hard to sever from you, 
Hard to breathe the last farewell. 

Long have ties of friendship bound us, 
Ties which none but students know ; 

Long have pleasures flowed around us, 
Pleasures sweetest here below. 

Now as students we must sever, 

Ne'er as such to meet again, 
But, as friends, O may we ever 

In each other's hearts remain ! 

Much loved classmates, can I leave you? 

Long have we been constant friends ; 
I am sure the thought doth grieve you 

All, that here our school life ends. 

Side by side we've strolled together 

O'er the meads of classic lore. 
Conning Homer, Virgil, Cgesar, 

Each a mine of richest store. 



JS6 Hear then the Verdict 

Fare you well ! and may you never 
Cease to rise in virtue's scale ; 

" Onward " be your watchword ever 
Truth and virtue will prevail. 

Farewell, teacher : may you never 
Those forget who leave you now ; 

Bear us in your prayers, as ever, 
When before the Throne you bow. 

Farewell all ! Our band is riven ; 

Ne'er shall we all meet again, 
Till, perchance, we meet in Heaven : 

Goal, I hope, we'll all attain. 



and Other Poems i sj 



ffiemity to IBeauty 

" O my love's like a red, red rose." — 'Burns. 

©MAIDEN SO fair, we are glad we may, 
Through friend to us and friend to you, 
Commingle our beauty with yours, to-day, 
And tell our story, dream or true : 

My sister and I — we are twins, you know — 

Lay tucked snug in our cradle green. 
And wondered if we two would ever grow 

To be as big as rose we'd seen. 

One morning old Sol, smiling bright and warm, 
Turned back our quilt, a bit, to peep.: 

We peeped some at him, too, nor thought it harm. 
But since we have not cared to sleep. 

We lay there and looked, and our eyes grew bright. 

Our color deepened, petals grew. 
And, being real happy, we laughed outright. 

And then — why, then we came to you ! 

He saw us, your friend ; came near us and said : 
" I want two roses on one stem ; 



1^8 Hear then the Verdict 

Must beauties be, big, and their color red ; 
She that will wear them is a gem ! " 

He chuckled on seeing our cheeks so red. 
Our eyes so bright and smile so gay : 

" These twins will just suit her all right ! " he said. 
And so we have come to you to-day. 



O Beauty, pray tell me the mission 
That brought thee to dwell upon earth ? 

Who was it that gave thee permission ? 
And where was the place of thy birth ? 



and Other Poems 759 



Safe fn iport 

" The port well worth the cruise, is near, 
And every wave is charmed." 

— Emerson. 

6 ARK the news ! La Gascoigne, they say, 
Is rounding to in New York bay ! 
Ring loud the bells ! The whistles blow ! 
The flags unfurl ! our joy to show ! 
The grand old ship with all on board 
Will soon be in the harbor moored !" 

What fearful days of doubt and dread 
Endouded hearts, wild terror spread ! 
How pleaded eyes and pallid lip 
For hopeful words about the ship ! 
But these instead : " So long o'erdue. 
She's lost, with passengers and crew ! " 

To-day all doubt and dread have flown, 
And heavy hearts have lightsome grown. 
The eyes that wept with fear and grief, 
To-day shed tears of sweet relief. 
" Sweet sympathy," with reckless haste, 
Embraces all, ignoring caste. 



i6o Hear then the Verdict 

As fades this fearful, joyful scene, 
A greater comes upon the screen. 
A grander than Atlantic's wave 
Rolls into view with aspect grave. 
To nobler port than New York bay 
A fleet of ships is on the way. 

The sea of life spreads far and wide. 
And countless barques its billows ride. 
Each bearing freight consigned to God, 
And pressing on toward His abode. 
The barque, though priceless, we appraise 
For what it does, and what conveys. 

If eye and ear could well explore 
The watching throngs on yonder shore, 
We voyagers would better know 
The perils we are passing through : 
At cv'ry battling wave defied, 
Would hear a shout of joy and pride. 

And when at last, the voyage done. 
All perils ended, harbor won. 
What sweet delight awaits the soul ! 
What joyous welcome at the goal ! 
The barque now sinks beneath the wave : 
Its freight is back with God who gave. 



